但 dàn

Is four years to reach HSK 5 fast or slow? Follow a conversation between two learners as they compare study hours and share realistic strategies for busy adults.

• 汉语是“说汉语”，也可以“听汉语”； 但是 中文是“读中文”，中文和汉字都是眼睛在看。

• 你知道，学习汉语很有意思， 但是 那个时候，我们班有三十个同学。

• 我有很多汉字会认， 但是 不会写。

Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.

• 这个成语人人都会用， 但是 “东山”是什么意思，好多人不知道。

• 但 谢安不想做官，多次拒绝了朝廷的邀请，就住在会稽的东山（今天的浙江省会稽山），和朋友一起游玩。

In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.

• 我的朋友说这个饭馆虽然很小， 但是 很有名。

• B:“小明”是你儿子的名字， 但是 不是“姓名”。

Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.

• 但是 事实上：无论是使用热风干燥还是通过油炸干燥，方便面中的水分含量都很低，一般都低于2%。

• 但 方便面除了小麦面粉，里面还有油和脱水的蔬菜叶子等等材料。

Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.

• 他比较支持美国， 但 理论上说不明白，一直得不到满意的解释。

• ““我还可以说，我们这个地方，有一个卖饼干的，每天在街上叫卖饼干， 但 他还愿意关心国家大事，关心英美的政治制度，希望国家能走上正确的道路──只这件奇事，已够使我乐观，使我高兴了。

Meet Xiao Shang, who is heading back to Shanghai. She compares two ways to travel and tells us why she prefers the slower one. This story helps you practice comparing transportation in simple Chinese.

• 从北京到上海坐飞机，不到两个小时， 但是 要坐火车，就要最少五个多小时。

• 但是 她可能会坐火车回上海。

Read about a work trip to Beijing where a group of colleagues takes a very large airplane. Practice weather words and actions in a simple travel story.

• 我们下飞机的时候是白天， 但是 天气有一点儿冷。

In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.

• 最近我每周都游两三次， 但 看电影是我最大的爱好！

This simple HSK 2 story introduces a warm family of six. Follow Little Bao and his British wife as they raise their two green-eyed children, each with their own personality.

• 她最喜欢画自己的家人， 但是 她不喜欢和弟弟一起画画儿。

Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.

• 他也在中为公司工作， 但是 因为周一我来公司的时候，他去上海了，所以我没有看见他。

Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.

• 我坐他对面，看见他把那块肉夹起来，放到了骨碟边沿，跟那根早就夹过来， 但 其实没吃的青菜并排摆着，整整齐齐。

Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.

• 可现在的茶馆虽然还是可以喝茶， 但是 去那儿的人大多不是老北京。