but; unfortunately; however
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesconjunction
but; however; unfortunately (expressing helplessness or resignation)
archaicUsed to introduce a clause expressing an unfortunate situation or limitation that prevents a desired outcome. Common in early vernacular literature.
Wǒ我
xiǎng想
bāng帮
tā他
，
zěn怎
nài奈
lì力
bù不
cóng从
xīn心
。
I wanted to help him, but unfortunately I was unable to do so.
Zěn怎
nài奈
tiān天
qì气
tài太
huài坏
，
bǐ比
sài赛
bèi被
pò迫
qǔ取
xiāo消
le了
。
Unfortunately, the weather was too bad and the match was forced to be canceled.
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Tā他
xiǎng想
jì继
xù续
gǎn赶
lù路
，
zěn怎
nài奈
mǎ马
yǐ已
pí疲
bèi惫
bù不
kān堪
。
He wanted to continue the journey, but alas, the horse was already exhausted.
Zěn怎
nài奈
dí敌
rén人
fáng防
shǒu守
yán严
mì密
，
wǒ我
jūn军
wú无
fǎ法
gōng攻
pò破
。
Unfortunately, the enemy's defense was tight and our army was unable to break through.