Learn a Chinese Character - 但 (Dàn) - But; Only

1. Character Basics

Radical: 亻 (Single person radical) (Related to human behavior)

Stroke Count: 7 (Number of strokes: 7)

Structure Analysis: 形声字，从亻（与人相关），旦声（dàn，表音）。本义指“只、仅”（如“但求无过”），引申为转折连词（如“但是”）。(Phonetic-semantic character: "亻" (human radical) + "旦" (phonetic component). Originally means "only", extended to "but".)

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Dàn (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

"但" mainly means:
1. Adverb: Only (e.g., "但求无过" - Only seek to avoid mistakes);
2. Conjunction: But (e.g., "虽然累，但很开心" - Tired but happy). “但”主要表示：
1. 副词：只、仅（如“但求无过”）；
2. 连词：但是（如“虽然累，但很开心”）。)

4. Common Words

• 但是 (dàn shì) But
• 但求 (dàn qiú) Only seek
• 但凡 (dàn fán) Generally; Usually

5. Grammar & Usage

"但" as an adverb modifies verbs/adjectives (e.g., "但闻" - only hear). As a conjunction, it connects two clauses (e.g., "他努力了，但没成功" - He tried, but failed). “但”作副词时修饰动词或形容词（如“但闻”）；作连词时连接两个分句（如“他努力了，但没成功”）。)

6. Cultural Background

In classical Chinese, "但" primarily meant "only" (e.g., "但见群鸥日日来" - Only see gulls daily). Modern usage focuses on the conjunctive "but", a high-frequency word in communication. 古汉语中“但”多表“只、仅”（如杜甫诗“但见群鸥日日来”）；现代汉语中主要作转折连词，是日常交流高频词。)

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

Associate "但" with its structure: "亻" (human) + "旦" (dawn), like "a person only focuses on one thing at dawn" to remember "only". Connect with "但是" to reinforce the conjunctive meaning. 联想“但”的结构：“亻”（人）+“旦”（早晨），想象“人在早晨只做一件事”记忆“只、仅”；结合“但是”强化转折含义。)