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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "but" with 但 (dàn)

    Connecting Ideas

    Structure

    Clause A + 但 + Clause B

    Explanation

    但 (dàn) means "but" or "however" and is used to introduce a contrasting clause. It signals that the information following it contrasts with or qualifies what came before. 但 is slightly more formal than 可是 and is common in both spoken and written Chinese.

    Examples

    • 这家餐厅很有名，但价格太贵了。

      Zhè jiā cāntīng hěn yǒumíng, dàn jiàgé tài guì le.

      This restaurant is very famous, but the prices are too expensive.

    • 我想去旅行，但没有时间。

      Wǒ xiǎng qù lǚxíng, dàn méiyǒu shíjiān.

      I want to travel, but I don't have time.

    • 他说得很流利，但偶尔会写错字。

      Tā shuō de hěn liúlì, dàn ǒu'ěr huì xiě cuò zì.

      He speaks very fluently, but occasionally writes characters wrong.

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    Expressing "but" with 但 (dàn) | Chinese Grammar