unfortunately; but
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesconjunction
unfortunately; but; however
formalUsed in formal or literary contexts to express that an intended action was prevented by circumstances beyond one's control. Often appears in the pattern '本想/本欲…，无如…'.
Zuó昨
tiān天
běn本
xiǎng想
qù去
bài拜
fǎng访
tā他
，
wú无
rú如
tiān天
sè色
tài太
wǎn晚
le了
。
I had wanted to visit him yesterday, but unfortunately it was too late in the day.
Tā他
běn本
xiǎng想
jì继
xù续
gōng工
zuò作
，
wú无
rú如
shēn身
tǐ体
shí实
zài在
chī吃
bu不
xiāo消
le了
。
He had wanted to continue working, but unfortunately his body simply couldn't take it anymore.
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Wǒ我
xiǎng想
qù去
kàn看
diàn电
yǐng影
，
wú无
rú如
piào票
yǐ已
jīng经
mài卖
wán完
le了
。
I wanted to go see a movie, but unfortunately the tickets were already sold out.