但
however, but
JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 5,000Strokes7
Readings
On'yomi
- タン
Kun'yomi
- ただ.し
Nanori
- たじ
Meaning
但 marks a contrast or exception: however, but. It signals that what follows qualifies or limits what came before.
Most common words using 但
Study
Etymology
但 combines 亻 (person) with 旦, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally expressed the idea of 'only' or 'but', though the exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
A person 亻 standing beside the dawn 旦, as if pausing to say 'however' before the day begins.
Reading mnemonic
For タン, imagine a person tanning on the beach, but then a cloud covers the sun: tan -> タン, however the tan is interrupted.