but
conjunction
prep
adv
noun
bət conjunction
1 used to connect two statements or phrases when the second one adds something different or seems surprising after the first one 但是，然而
It’s an old car, but it’s very reliable.
这是一辆旧车，但是性能非常可靠。
They rushed to the hospital, but they were too late.
他们急忙赶到医院，但是已经太迟了。
We’ve invited the boss, but she may decide not to come.
我们邀请过老板，但她有可能不会来。
an expensive but extremely useful book
价钱很贵却是非常有用的一本书
‘Has he got any experience?’ ‘No, but he’s keen to learn.’
“他有经验吗？”“没有，但他乐于学习。”
2 used to introduce a statement that explains why the thing you have mentioned did not happen or is not possible 可是〔用于说明某事没有发生或不可能的原因〕
I’d like to go but I’m too busy.
我很想去，可是我太忙了。
They would have married sooner, but they had to wait for her divorce.
他们是想马上结婚的，但是他们得先等她离了婚。
3 used after a negative to emphasize that it is the second part of the sentence that is true 而是〔用于否定成分之后，强调句子第二部分是真实的〕
He lied to the court not just once, but on several occasions.
他在法庭上撒谎不止一次，而是好多次了。
The purpose of the scheme is not to help the employers but to provide work for young people.
这个计划不是为了帮助雇主，而是为了给年轻人提供工作机会。
4 except 除…以外
What can we do but sit and wait?
我们除了坐着等，还能做什么呢？
I had no choice but to accept the challenge.
我别无选择，只有接受挑战。
Not a day goes by but I think of dear old Larry (=I think of him every day) .
我没有一天不想亲爱的老拉里。
5
but for
a. used when you are saying that something would have happened if something or someone else had not prevented it b. except for something or someone 除了
But for these interruptions, the meeting would have finished earlier.
要不是几次被打断，会议早就开完了。
The score could have been higher but for some excellent goalkeeping by Simon.
要不是西蒙几次出色的扑救，比分还会更高。
I might never have got to university but for you.
要是没有你的话，我可能永远也上不了大学。
All was silent but for the sound of the wind in the trees.
万籁俱寂，只有风吹树动发出沙沙的声音。
6
but then (again)
a. used when you are adding a statement that says almost the opposite of what you have just said b. used when you are adding a statement that makes what you have just said seem less surprising 不过〔用于补充，减弱刚说的话令人震惊的程度〕 spoken
John might be ready to help us, but then again, he might not.
约翰可能愿意帮我们，但也可能不愿意帮我们。
You feel really sorry for him. But then again, it’s hard to like him.
你是很同情他，可是很难喜欢他。
Dinah missed the last rehearsal, but then she always was unreliable, wasn’t she?
黛娜上次排练没来，不过，她这人一向是靠不住，对吗？
7 used when you are replying to someone and expressing strong feelings such as anger, surprise etc [口] 嘿，天哪〔用于表示强烈的情感，如愤怒、惊讶等〕 spoken
But that’s marvellous news!
喔，这真是好消息啊！
‘They won’t even discuss the problem.’ ‘But how stupid!’
“他们甚至都不会讨论这个问题。”“那真是愚蠢啊！”
8
sb cannot but do sth
used to say that someone has to do something or cannot stop themselves from doing it [正式] 某人不得不做某事; 某人禁不住要做某事 formal
I could not but admire her.
我不得不佩服她。
9 used when disagreeing with someone [口] 可是〔用来提出异议〕 spoken
‘It was a good idea.’ ‘But it didn’t work.’
“这是个好主意。”“可是也没有用呀。”
10 used to emphasize a word or statement [口] 〔用来加强词语或陈述的语气〕 spoken
It’ll be a great party – everyone, but everyone, is coming.
这将是一个大聚会 — 每个人，对，每个人都会来。
They’re rich, but I mean rich.
他们很有钱，非常非常有钱。
11 used to change the subject of a conversation [口] 无论如何，反正，好〔用于改变话题〕 spoken
But now to the main question.
好，现在谈谈主要问题。
But tell me, are you really planning to retire?
告诉我，你真的打算退休吗？
12 used after expressions such as ‘excuse me’ and ‘I’m sorry’ [口] 〔用于 excuse me 和 I’m sorry 等后面〕 spoken
Excuse me, but I’m afraid this is a no-smoking area.
对不起，这里是无烟区。
prep
13 apart from 除…以外;
I could come any day but Thursday.
除了星期四，我哪天都能来。
There’s no one here but me.
这里除了我没有别人。
I could still see nothing but the spirals of desert dust.
除了盘旋纷飞的沙漠尘土外，我还是什么都看不见。
He was unable to swallow anything but liquids.
他除了流质什么都咽不下去。
14
the last but one/the next but two etc
the last or next thing or person except for one, two etc [尤英] 倒数第二/相隔两个等 especially BrE
Pauline and Derek live in the next house but one (=they live two houses away from us) .
保利娜和德里克住的地方和这里隔一栋房子。
adv
15 only 只能，仅仅
This is but one example of what can happen when things go badly wrong.
这只不过是在倒霉的时候会发生的那种事情。
It’s going to be difficult. Anyway, we can but try.
这会很难，但是无论如何，我们只能试试。
We have relationships of many different sorts – with our children, our parents, our boss and our friends, to name but a few.
我们有各式各样的人际关系 — 有和子女的关系，有和父母的关系，还有和老板、朋友的关系，这些只是其中的几类。
bʌt noun
16 reasons that someone gives for not doing something or agreeing with something [口] 借口，托词
‘I don’t want to hear any buts.’ Jo snapped.
“我不想听什么借口。”乔没好气地说。
He is the best player – no ifs, ands, or buts about that.
他是最好的球员 — 这是无可争辨的。