而 ér — and; as well as; but (not); yet (not); (shows causal relation); (shows change of state)
这道题简单而有趣。Zhè dào tí jiǎn dān ér yǒu qù.This problem is simple yet interesting.
Common words: 而且 (ér qiě)、而是 (ér shì)、然而 (rán ér)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "but"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "but", including 而 (ér), 但 (dàn), 却 (què). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "but" covers 3 different Chinese characters — 而 (ér), 但 (dàn), 却 (què) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 3 characters do not share a sound — their readings span ér, dàn, què — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 而 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 而 érand; as well as; but (not); yet (not); (shows causal relation); (shows change of state)Useful words: 而且, 而是
- 但 dànbut; yet; however; only; merely; stillUseful words: 但是, 不但
- 却 quèbut; yet; however; while; to go back; to declineUseful words: 冷却, 却是
Common words for these 3 "but" characters
Anchor each of these 3 characters in a word you can picture — start with 而 (ér) — so "but" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
而且ér qiě(not only ...) but also; moreover; in addition; furthermore而是ér shìrather然而rán érhowever; but; yet但是dàn shìbut; however不但bù dànnot only (... but also ...)但愿dàn yuànif only (sth were possible); I wish (that)冷却lěng què(lit. and fig.) to cool却是què shìnevertheless; actually; the fact is ...退却tuì quèto retreat; to shrink back
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 3 ways to say "but".
但 dàn — but; yet; however; only; merely; still
我想去，但是没有时间。Wǒ xiǎng qù, dàn shì méi yǒu shí jiān.I want to go, but I do not have time.
Common words: 但是 (dàn shì)、不但 (bù dàn)、但愿 (dàn yuàn)
却 què — but; yet; however; while; to go back; to decline
他想说什么，却又停住了。Tā xiǎng shuō shén me, què yòu tíng zhù le.He wanted to say something, but then stopped.
Common words: 冷却 (lěng què)、却是 (què shì)、退却 (tuì què)
All 3 characters
Open 而、但、却 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.