but 僅僅；不過 — 中文意思、英文定義、例句

1.副詞B2

釋義

僅僅；不過

強調只是如此而已，沒有更多

used before a noun phrase to show that something is no more important or impressive than what is described — like saying 'nothing more than' or 'only'.

例句

The news was but a rumor that no one could confirm.

那則消息不過是沒人能證實的謠言。

pattern: be + but + noun phrase — 'nothing more than'

Mei-Lin is but a beginner at chess and still learns the basic rules.

Mei-Lin 只是西洋棋的初學者，還在學習基本規則。

同義詞

merely
more neutral in register; works in both formal and informal contexts
just
the most common equivalent in everyday speech
only
emphasises limitation; interchangeable in most cases

文法句型

but + noun phrase (emphasising 'nothing more than')

用法筆記

In modern everyday English, 'just' or 'merely' is preferred. This 'but' is found mainly in formal or literary writing.

常見錯誤

❌He is but a child — he should not work.' (sounds too formal in casual speech).

✅He is just a child

💡he should not work.' — 'but' in this sense is mostly formal or literary.

2.副詞B2

釋義

只；才

不超過某數量、時間或距離

no more than a particular amount, distance, or period of time — emphasising that something is small or short.

例句

Olivia finished the assignment but an hour before the deadline.

Olivia 在截止時間前一個小時才完成作業。

pattern: but + time expression — 'only'

The hotel is but a short walk from the main train station.

這家飯店離火車站只有一小段步行的距離。

同義詞

only
the standard equivalent in all registers
just
slightly more informal; common in conversation

文法句型

but + quantity/time expression

用法筆記

Common before expressions of time, distance, or quantity. In informal conversation, 'only' is far more frequent.

常見錯誤

❌I but saw him yesterday' (wrong word order).

✅I saw him but yesterday.

💡'but' follows the main verb, not the subject.

1.連接詞A1

釋義

但是；可是

連接兩個相反或出乎意料的陳述

used to connect two statements when the second one is different from or contradicts what you might expect from the first one.

例句

Theo wanted to join the hiking trip, but he had to finish his homework first.

Theo 想去參加健行，但是他得先完成作業。

contrastive pattern: [clause], but [clause]

The weather app predicted rain, but the sky stayed clear all day.

天氣預報說會下雨，但是天空一整天都很晴朗。

同義詞

however
more formal; often starts a new sentence or follows a semicolon
yet
similar meaning but adds a sense of surprise or that the second point is unexpected
though
more informal; often placed at the end of a clause: 'I like it, though.'

反義詞

and
adds similar information instead of contrasting

文法句型

[clause 1], but [clause 2]

常見錯誤

❌I like apples, but I like oranges too.' (but implies contrast, not addition).

✅I like apples, and I like oranges too.

💡use 'and' for addition, 'but' for contrast.

2.連接詞B1

釋義

除了

用在否定句後，表示唯一的可能性

used after a negative statement to show that the only possible thing is what follows — meaning 'except' or 'other than'.

例句

We could do nothing but wait for the rescue team to arrive.

我們除了等待救援隊抵達之外別無他法。

pattern: nothing but + base verb

The children could not but feel excited about visiting the aquarium.

孩子們對於參觀水族館不禁感到興奮。

pattern: cannot but + base verb (formal)

同義詞

except
more straightforward; can replace 'but' in most cases here
save
very formal or literary; uncommon in speech

文法句型

nothing/cannot but + base verb

have no choice but to + infinitive

用法筆記

In the 'cannot but + verb' pattern, the verb is in its base form without 'to'. In the 'have no choice but + to-verb' pattern, 'to' is required before the verb.

常見錯誤

❌I had no choice but accept' (missing 'to').

✅I had no choice but to accept.

💡after 'but' in this pattern, use the to-infinitive.

but

but — 副詞

1. used before a noun phrase to show that something is no more important or impress

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

2. no more than a particular amount, distance, or period of time — emphasising that

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

but — 連接詞

1. used to connect two statements when the second one is different from or contradi

文法句型

常見錯誤

2. used after a negative statement to show that the only possible thing is what fol

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

but — 名詞

1. a spoken reason that someone gives for not doing or agreeing with something, esp

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

but — 介系詞

1. used to introduce the only person or thing that is not included in a statement —

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

but — 代名詞

1. used after a negative expression such as 'no one' or 'nothing' to mean 'who does

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤