1 but /ˈbʌt/ /bət/ conjunction Learner's definition of BUT
1
—
used to introduce a statement that adds something to a previous statement and usually contrasts with it in some way可是；但是；而（是） -
I don't know her, but my husband does.我不认识她，但我丈夫认识。
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He wants to go to the movies, but I want to go to the museum.他想去看电影，可我想去博物馆。
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He plans to visit Boston and Chicago, but not New York.他计划游览波士顿和芝加哥，但不去纽约。
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The book is not a biography at all but (instead is) a fictional account.这本书根本不是传记，而是虚构的故事。
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It's not the music I don't like but (rather) the band themselves.我不喜欢的不是音乐，而是乐队本身。
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She got the promotion not by luck but by hard work.她获得晋升靠的不是运气而是勤奋。
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The fighting has been going on for years. But to really understand the current situation, you have to look at the history of the region.战争已经持续多年，但要想真正了解当前的形势，你还得看一看这个地区的历史。
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She called his name, but he did not answer.她叫他的名字，但他没有答应。
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He fell but (he) wasn't hurt/injured.他摔了一跤但没伤着。
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I told him to stay, but he refused to.我让他留下，但他拒绝了。
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It might have been raining, but it was still a nice wedding.尽管直下雨，那依旧是一场很棒的婚礼。
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I'd love to come to the party, but [=however] I'll be away that weekend.我很想来参加聚会，但那个周末我不在这儿。
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I'm sorry, but I won't be able to help you.很抱歉，我帮不上你。
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The dress is quite plain but (it's) pretty.这件连衣裙很素，但很漂亮。
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They were polite, but not really friendly.他们很客气，但不见得友好。
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Not only was it quite cold on our trip, but it rained the whole time too.我们这次出行不仅天气很冷，而且还一直下雨。
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I can't do it—but neither can you.我做不了，但你也不行。
2
: other than : except除了；除…外；只有 3
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used in speech at the beginning of a sentence that expresses surprise, shock, etc.可…（口语中用于句首表示惊讶等） -
But you promised (that) you would help me with this.可你答应过要帮我这个忙。
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But it's not fair for them to treat him this way!可他们这样对待他是不公平的！
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They've arrived? But I thought they were coming Tuesday.他们已经到了？可我以为他们星期二才来啊。
4
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used with a repeated word for emphasis与重复词连用，表示强调
but then
1
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used to introduce a statement that adds another and different thought to a preceding statement然而；另一方面 -
I'm surprised to hear that Tom has left the army. But then I suppose he never was the type to obey orders.听说汤姆离开了部队我很惊讶。但转念一想，他从来不是那种服从命令的人。
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I'm sure she would do a wonderful job on the project, but then I know she's very busy.我相信她能把这个项目做得很出色，不过我也知道她非常忙。
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sometimes used to introduce an explanation for something有时用于引出解释 2
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used to introduce a statement that tells about something different or surprising that happened next然而；竟然 -
The team won the first two games, but then failed to win any of the next five.球队赢了前两场比赛，可是在后来的五场比赛中竟然一场未胜。
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The disease was said to be untreatable, but then a new medication was introduced.这种病曾被认为是不治之症，但后来出了一种新药。
2 but /ˈbʌt/ /bət/ preposition
2 but
/ˈbʌt/ /bət/
preposition
Learner's definition of BUT
: other than (something or someone) : except除了；除…外 -
We had nothing but rain all week. [=it rained for the entire week]整个一周除了下雨还是下雨。
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There was no one there but him.那里除了他没别人。
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I didn't tell anyone but my sister.除了我妹妹我没告诉任何人。
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Who but you would think that?除了你，谁会那样想？
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No one but you would try that. = No one would try that but you.除了你，没人会想这么干。
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I was anything but tired. [=I was not at all tired]我一点儿都不累。
but for
: if not for (something or someone) : without (something or someone)要不是；如果没有；若非 -
We would never have visited the town but for [=except for] the newspaper article about local artists.要不是读到报纸上介绍当地艺术家的文章，我们才不会游览这个小镇呢。
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The score would have been higher but for some excellent goaltending.如果没有对方一些出色的干扰球，我们的得分会更高。
3 but /ˈbʌt/ /bət/ adverb
3 but
/ˈbʌt/ /bət/
adverb
Learner's definition of BUT
formal
1
: 2only —
sometimes used for emphasis有时用于强调 -
If they had but given me a chance, I know I could have done it.假如他们给了我机会，我知道我可能已经完成了。
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He was here but five minutes ago.就在五分钟之前他还在这儿呢。
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She is still but a child.她还只是个孩子。
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This new product offers many advantages: speed, convenience, and durability, to name but a few.这种新产品有很多优点，如快捷、方便、耐用，这只是列举一二。
2
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used in negative statements to say that something must happen一定会（用于否定句） -
Anyone who reads the book cannot but feel sympathy for him. [=must feel sympathy for him]谁看了这本书都一定会同情他。
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I could not (help) but wonder [=I felt compelled to wonder, I could not help wondering] why she had lied.我不禁纳闷她为何撒谎。
— see also all but plural buts
plural buts
Learner's definition of BUT
[count]
: a reason someone gives for not doing or agreeing with something借口；托词 —
usually plural通常用复数 -
I want this done today, and I don't want to hear any buts about it.我希望今天把这事完成，而且我不想听任何完不成的借口。
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(US) As far as I'm concerned, she's the most qualified candidate, and there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it! = (Brit) There are no ifs and buts about it! [=it is certain that she is the most qualified candidate]依我看，她是最合适的候选人，没什么好说的。