Definition of the word but

Pronunciation of vocabulary but

butconjunction

nhưng

/bʌt/

Definition of the word <b>but</b>

Origin of the word but

The word "but" has its roots in Old English and has evolved over time. In Old English, the word was "būt", which was an adverb meaning "except", "excepting", or "excluding". It was often used in phrases such as "but / lest" or "but / except". Over time, the word's meaning expanded to include contrastive uses, such as "on one hand" versus "on the other hand", as well as to indicate opposition or contradiction. In Middle English (circa 1100-1500), the word appeared as "but" and retained its meaning as an adverb and conjunction. Today, "but" is a common conjunction in English, used to contrast ideas, display irony, or introduce a concession. Despite its shift in meaning, "but" remains a fundamental word in the English language.

Vocabulary summary but

typeconjunction

meaningbut, but

examplebut me no buts: don't contradict me with buts

exampleread the last but one line

meaningotherwise; no other way

examplehe would have fallen but for me

meaningbut not

exampleI would have gone but that I was ill

typeadverb

meaningjust, just, just

examplebut me no buts: don't contradict me with buts

exampleread the last but one line

meaning(see) all

examplehe would have fallen but for me

Example of vocabulary butnamespace

meaning

used to introduce a word or phrase that contrasts with what was said before

dùng để giới thiệu một từ hoặc cụm từ trái ngược với những gì đã nói trước đó

  • I got it wrong. It wasn't the red one but the blue one.

    Tôi đã hiểu sai. Đó không phải là màu đỏ mà là màu xanh.

  • His mother won't be there, but his father might.

    Mẹ anh ấy sẽ không ở đó, nhưng bố anh ấy thì có thể.

  • It isn't that he lied exactly, but he does tend to exaggerate.

    Không hẳn là anh ấy nói dối, nhưng anh ấy có xu hướng phóng đại.

meaning

however; despite this

Tuy nhiên; bất chấp điều này

  • I'd asked everybody but only two people came.

    Tôi đã hỏi mọi người nhưng chỉ có hai người đến.

  • By the end of the day we were tired but happy.

    Đến cuối ngày, chúng tôi mệt nhưng vui.

meaning

used when you are saying sorry about something

được sử dụng khi bạn đang nói xin lỗi về điều gì đó

  • I'm sorry but I can't stay any longer.

    Tôi xin lỗi nhưng tôi không thể ở lại lâu hơn nữa.

meaning

used to introduce a statement that shows that you are surprised or annoyed, or that you disagree

được sử dụng để giới thiệu một tuyên bố cho thấy bạn ngạc nhiên hoặc khó chịu hoặc bạn không đồng ý

  • But that's not possible!

    Nhưng điều đó là không thể!

  • ‘Here's the money I owe you.’ ‘But that's not right—it was only £10.’

    ‘Đây là số tiền tôi nợ bạn.’ ‘Nhưng điều đó không đúng - nó chỉ có 10 bảng thôi.’

meaning

except

ngoại trừ

  • I had no choice but to sign the contract.

    Tôi không còn lựa chọn nào khác ngoài việc ký hợp đồng.

meaning

used before repeating a word in order to emphasize it

được sử dụng trước khi lặp lại một từ để nhấn mạnh nó

  • Nothing, but nothing would make him change his mind.

    Không có gì, nhưng không có gì có thể khiến anh thay đổi quyết định.

meaning

used to emphasize that something is always true

dùng để nhấn mạnh rằng điều gì đó luôn đúng

  • She never passed her old home but she thought of the happy years she had spent there (= she always thought of them).

    Cô ấy chưa bao giờ đi ngang qua ngôi nhà cũ của mình nhưng cô ấy nghĩ về những năm tháng hạnh phúc mà cô ấy đã trải qua ở đó (= cô ấy luôn nghĩ về chúng).

Words, synonyms, related vocabulary but

Idioms of vocabulary but

but for
if it were not for
  • He would have played but for a knee injury.
    • except for
  • The square was empty but for a couple of cabs.
    • but then (again)
    however; on the other hand
  • He might agree. But then again he might have a completely different opinion.
    • used before a statement that explains or gives a reason for what has just been said
  • She speaks very good Italian. But then she did live in Rome for a year (= so it's not surprising).
    • you cannot/could not but…
    (formal)used to show that everything else is impossible except the thing that you are saying
  • What could he do but forgive her? (= that was the only thing possible)

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