(dàn shì) - but, however (formal) in Mandarin
dànshìTraditional: 但是
Translation
but, however (formal)
Word origin
The word 但是 combines 但 'but' with 是 'to be, yes', forming the standard contrastive conjunction 'but, however'. 但 is 亻 (person) + 旦 (phonetic); 是 joins 日 (sun) over 正/疋, originally 'straight, correct', later the copula.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 但 (dàn, but: 亻 person + 旦 phonetic) + 是 (shì, to be)
Stroke order
但
是
Examples
，。
I am very tired, but I still need to persevere.
格，。
The price is high, but it works well.
，缺乏。
He is very capable, but lacks experience.
，。
I like her, but she does not like me.
，。
The weather is cold, but I am not afraid.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(14)朋友找我
1 min read · Core 1000
在这里
1 min read · Core 1000
不知道在哪里
2 min read · Core 1000
打电话
3 min read · Core 1000
大伟的工作
3 min read · Core 1000
迷路
3 min read · Core 1000
下雨的下午
3 min read · Core 1000
新邻居
3 min read · Core 1000
一起做饭
3 min read · Core 1000
最后的车
3 min read · Core 1000
今年去哪里
4 min read · Core 1000
新工作的第一天
4 min read · Core 1000
等了三年
5 min read · Core 5000
有钱没时间
5 min read · Core 5000
Grammar articles
(9)Mandarin Advanced Grammar (C1-C2 / HSK 6+): Chengyu, Classical Remnants, and Register
不但...而且 in Mandarin: Not Only A But Also B (不仅, 还, 也, 并且)
Concession in Mandarin: 虽然...还是/但是, 不过, and 还是 (Although, Even So, Nonetheless)
Mandarin Conditionals: 如果, 要是, 的话 and the 就 That Finishes the Sentence
Mandarin Conjunctions: 虽然…但是, 因为…所以, 如果…就 and the Paired Structures That Join Clauses
How to Say Even Though and Even If in Mandarin: 虽然, 即使, 就算 and 尽管
Formal Mandarin Connectives: 然而, 因此, 于是 and 尽管 (The Written Register)
Mandarin Intermediate Grammar (B1-B2 / HSK 4-5): Complements, Conjunctions and the Full 了 System
又 (yòu) vs 再 (zài) vs 还 (hái) in Mandarin: The Three Ways to Say 'Again'
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但是: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "但是" (but, however (formal)): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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