Meaning
The N1 kanji 但 (pronounced ただし, tadashi or タン, tan) conveys several meanings, including "but," "however," "provided that," "only," or "merely." In contemporary Japanese, its most frequent application is as the conjunction 但し. This term, while similar to しかし or けれども, carries a more formal, often legalistic or academic nuance. You'll encounter 但し when introducing conditions, exceptions, or supplementary remarks in contexts like contracts, official documents, academic papers, and detailed explanations.
Etymologically, 但 is a phono-semantic compound. The left-hand radical 亻 (にんべん, ninben), known as the "person" radical, hints at a semantic connection to people or their actions/states. On the right, the component 旦 (たん, tan), meaning "dawn" or "morning," functions as the phonetic element, suggesting the sound "tan."
Although the visual pairing of "person" and "dawn" doesn't immediately suggest "but" or "however," the character's meaning evolved from its classical Chinese usage, where 但 initially meant "only" or "merely." Over time, it adopted the conditional and exceptional sense in Japanese, particularly as the conjunction 但し. Though designated as an N1 kanji for proficiency testing, 但 is a Joyo kanji with 7 strokes. It's typically taught in junior high school (equivalent to a Grade 8 kanji in some older classifications), falling under the general "Joyo" category for secondary education rather than a specific elementary grade.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi, or Chinese-derived reading, for 但 is タン (tan). While less common than its Kun'yomi counterpart, this reading appears in specific compound words, often carrying a formal or classical nuance. It typically refers to a proviso, a condition, or an explanatory note.
但書 (tansho) — A proviso; a rider; a clause; an explanatory note. This term is frequently used in legal documents or contracts to refer to a specific condition or exception added to a main agreement.
契約書に但書を加える。 — Add a proviso to the contract.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The primary Kun'yomi, or native Japanese reading, for 但 is ただし (tadashi). This is by far the most common way to encounter the kanji in modern Japanese. As a conjunction, 但し introduces a condition, an exception, a restriction, or a supplementary explanation. You'll often find it translated as "but," "however," "provided that," or "on condition that." Due to its formal nature, 但し is a standard in written Japanese, particularly in formal letters, reports, legal texts, and academic writing.
但し (tadashi) — However; but; provided that; on condition that. This is the stand-alone conjunction.
全ての参加者は無料です。但し、事前登録が必要です。 — All participants are free. However, advance registration is required.
但し書き (tadashigaki) — A proviso; a footnote; an explanatory note. Similar to 但書 but often refers to the actual note or clause itself, not just the concept of a proviso.
請求書に但し書きが付いている。 — There is a proviso attached to the invoice.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 但 appears in several important words and phrases, particularly in formal, legal, and academic contexts. Understanding these compounds is crucial for navigating technical Japanese.
Formal and Legal Contexts
- 但し (tadashi) — "However," "but," "provided that," or "on condition that." This is the most prevalent usage of 但 as a conjunction in formal writing, introducing a caveat or specific term.
- 但書 (tansho) — "A proviso," "a rider," "a clause," or "an explanatory note." This term is specific to formal documents like contracts, referring to a condition or exception added to a main agreement.
- 但し書き (tadashigaki) — Similar to 但書, this also means "a proviso," "a footnote," or "an explanatory note." It often refers to the actual written clause or specific note itself rather than just the concept of a proviso.
- 但し、以下 (tadashi, ika) — "However, the following..." Used to introduce a list of subsequent conditions or exceptions. Example: 但し、以下の点にご注意ください。(However, please note the following points.)
- 但し、〜を除く (tadashi, ~ wo nozoku) — "Provided that ~ is excluded." This is a common legal phrasing to specify exceptions. Example: 全ての項目に適用されます。但し、特定のサービスを除く。(Applies to all items, provided that specific services are excluded.)
- 但し、その場合 (tadashi, sono baai) — "However, in that case..." Used to introduce a condition or consequence for a specific scenario. Example: 変更は可能です。但し、その場合は手数料が発生します。(Changes are possible. However, in that case, a fee will be incurred.)
- 但し、この点については... (tadashi, kono ten ni tsuite wa...) — "However, regarding this point..." This phrase helps shift focus or add a nuanced detail.
- 但し、例外がある (tadashi, reigai ga aru) — "However, there is an exception." A straightforward way to state a condition.
- 但し書きを付ける (tadashigaki wo tsukeru) — "To add a proviso or an explanatory note."
Place Names
- 但馬 (Tajima) — An old province name located in present-day Hyogo Prefecture. It's important to note that the reading here is irregular and doesn't directly relate to the "but/however" meaning of 但.
Mastering 但, particularly its 但し form, is essential for anyone engaging with formal or technical Japanese. It plays a precise role in clarifying conditions, presenting counterpoints, and introducing specific exceptions. This makes it crucial for unambiguous communication.
Example Sentences
契約は有効です。但し、期限が定められています。
Keiyaku wa yūkō desu. Tadashi, kigen ga sadamerareteimasu.
The contract is valid. However, a deadline has been set.
学生は図書館を利用できます。但し、身分証の提示が必要です。
Gakusei wa toshokan wo riyō dekimasu. Tadashi, mibunshō no teiji ga hitsuyō desu.
Students can use the library. However, presentation of ID is required.
全ての製品が割引対象です。但し、一部の限定品は除く。
Subete no seihin ga waribiki taishō desu. Tadashi, ichibu no genteihin wa nozoku.
All products are eligible for discount. However, some limited edition items are excluded.
予算は承認されました。但し、細部の調整が必要です。
Yosan wa shōnin saremashita. Tadashi, saibu no chōsei ga hitsuyō desu.
The budget has been approved. However, minor adjustments are needed.
但書には、支払い方法に関する重要な情報が記載されている。
Tansho ni wa, shiharai hōhō ni kansuru jūyō na jōhō ga kisai sareteiru.
The proviso contains important information regarding payment methods.
このソフトウェアは無料で使えます。但し、商用利用の場合はライセンスが必要です。
Kono sofutouea wa muryō de tsukaemasu. Tadashi, shōyō riyō no baai wa raisensu ga hitsuyō desu.
This software can be used for free. However, a license is required for commercial use.
レポートは明日までに提出してください。但し、遅れる場合は事前に連絡すること。
Repōto wa ashita made ni teishutsu shite kudasai. Tadashi, okureru baai wa jizen ni renraku suru koto.
Please submit the report by tomorrow. However, if you will be late, please notify us in advance.
彼は非常に能力のある人物だが、但し、時々協調性に欠ける面がある。
Kare wa hijō ni nōryoku no aru jinbutsu daga, tadashi, tokidoki kyōchōsei ni kakeru men ga aru.
He is a very capable person, but he sometimes lacks cooperation.
但し書きに記載されている事項をよく読んでから署名してください。
Tadashigaki ni kisai sareteiru jikō wo yoku yonde kara shomei shite kudasai.
Please read the items stated in the proviso carefully before signing.
Memory Tip
To remember 但, consider its components: 亻 (the "person" radical) and 旦 (meaning "dawn" or "morning"). Imagine a person (亻) standing at the break of dawn (旦), making a formal declaration or setting conditions for the day. They might announce: "The day will be productive, but (但) only provided that we stick to the plan." Alternatively, picture someone who wakes at dawn and only wants to do one particular thing. The phonetic component 旦 (tan) also neatly links to the On'yomi タン (tan), as seen in 但書. This mental image — a person at dawn, setting conditions or focusing on "only" one thing — effectively helps anchor its meanings of "but," "however," and "provided that."