但是
tān-sī
In Hokkien, the English word 'but' is expressed as 但是 (tān-sī).
Meaning: except (conj)
Which one should you use?
The form 但是 translates to 'but' or 'however' and is used in more formal or structured speech than colloquial alternatives.
How do you pronounce it?
tān-sī
Did you know?
- The term 反過來 (húan-khì-lâi) is used to introduce a counter-point, though its literal meaning is 'to turn over'.
- If you want to sound more traditional or 'old school', you might use 毋過 (m̄-koh) instead of the Mandarin-influenced 但是.
- Because 但是 is a Mandarin-influenced form, using it can sometimes act as a linguistic marker of a speaker's education or formal training.
Example conversation
Jia Hao and Shu Fen are discussing what to eat for dinner.
- 家豪 Ka-hao淑芬，你想食面仔嗎？Siu-hun, lí siáng chia̍h mī-á koh?Shu Fen, do you want to eat noodles?
- 淑芬 Siok-fun我想食，但是我太飽。Góa siáng chia̍h, tān-sī góa thài páu.I want to, but I am too full.
- 家豪 Ka-hao咁咱去行行就好。Án-ne lán khì kiâⁿ-kiâⁿ chiū hò.Then let's just go for a walk.
- 淑芬 Siok-fun好，咱走吧。Hó, lán tsáu-pah.Okay, let's go.
