Word
但し
Meaning in Englishbut, however, provided that
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
A direct answer: it is a conjunction used to introduce a proviso or exception; it guides the reader toward a limitation on the preceding statement, typically followed by a clause that refines or restricts the meaning.
Main meanings
- Proviso marker: introduces a condition or exception that narrows the preceding statement (romaji: tadashi)
- Contrastive qualifier: signals a caveat that changes how the prior sentence should be interpreted (romaji: tadashi)
- Formal usage: common in manuals, notices, contracts, and scholarly writing (romaji: tadashi)
How to use it
Used to introduce a proviso or exception, typically placed at the start of a sentence or after a stated condition to limit or clarify the preceding statement; common in formal writing, manuals, notices, contracts, and academic prose; it can appear in conversation for emphasis but remains more frequent in written form.
Variants and close terms
- しかし (shikashi) — however, but
- けれども (keredomo) — but, nevertheless
Composition
- 但 — a kanji meaning a constraint or exception, often signaling contrast
- し — okurigana that forms the conjunctive ending, turning the kanji into a connective adverbial form
Word class
conjunction (接続詞)