但是 — Keep the prior clause as given, then state one thing that runs against it.

grammar → 但是

TSUMUGU · TBCL 2 (est.) · 語法

但是 grammar point · tier 1 · 但是 — but, however (turn against the prior clause)

Keep the prior clause as given, then state one thing that runs against it.

字源 FORM what the parts do

但 is a person (亻) stripped bare, borrowed for the word that peels everything away but one thing; 旦 daybreak only sounds it, dàn. 是 sets that one thing down as so. Together they keep the first clause, then hold up the single thing that cuts against it.

故事 STORY a scene to remember it by

The first thing said is stripped bare, and 但是 holds up the one fact left standing the other way.

字源記憶法自撰

框 · Frame

[clause A]，但是 [clause B that cuts against A]

觸 · Trigger

Said the first thing; now the catch that pulls the other way.

序 · The move

1State clause A on its own, with no opener.Does A stand as a plain claim, not yet flagged as concession?

2Place 但是 at the head of clause B.Does B cut against A rather than add to it?

3Strip B down to the single fact that turns the expectation.Is B the one thing that runs the other way, not a second point?

例 · Examples

1這個this箱子box很大is big，但是but裡面inside的(attributive)東西things很輕are light。

This box is big, but the things inside are light.

界 · Boundary

雖然…但是…

雖然…但是… flags the turn before clause A even starts; 但是 alone leaves clause A as a plain claim and springs the turn only at clause B.

因為…所以…

所以 lets clause B follow from A; 但是 makes clause B run against A. Same two clauses, opposite link.

她很有錢，但是很快樂。✗ → 她很有錢，但是不開心。✓ (B must cut against A, not run the same way)

雖然下雨，去了。✗ → 雖然下雨，但是我還是去了。✓ (with 雖然 staged, keep 但是 at the head of B)

但是天氣很好。✗ (an opener with no clause before it) → 我本來想待在家，但是天氣很好。✓ (但是 needs a clause A to turn against)

English 'but' can open a fresh sentence after a full stop; 但是 wants its clause A present in the same breath, so a bare sentence-initial 但是 with no prior clause reads as unfinished.