但 dàn
“but; yet; however; still; merely; only; just”
conjunction, adverb2021 list level 2
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
但 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 330: 但 dàn — Level 2; official annotation 2（7-9） (连、（副）). PDF page 88
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 但
但 (dàn) is the shorter, slightly more written form of 但是 ("but, however"). It introduces the contrasting second clause and often pairs with 虽然 in the first clause.
例句Example sentences
- 这道菜看着简单，但做起来不容易。zhè dào cài kàn zhe jiǎn dān, dàn zuò qǐ lái bù róng yì.This dish looks simple, but it is not easy to make.
- 虽然路很远，但他每天都准时到。suī rán lù hěn yuǎn, dàn tā měi tiān dōu zhǔn shí dào.Although it is far, he arrives on time every day.
- 我想去，但今天实在太忙了。wǒ xiǎng qù, dàn jīn tiān shí zài tài máng le.I want to go, but I am really too busy today.