Mnemonic
Butler Alfred arrives at daybreak with your morning tea. However, he raises one finger and clears his throat — there is a proviso. Alfred never serves at daybreak without first announcing some reservation, some limiting condition you must accept before he pours.
Additional thoughts
Picture Alfred silhouetted against the dawn, teapot in hand, index finger raised — he always has a 'however' ready. That raised finger IS the proviso. Dawn + dutiful servant = a formal exception delivered every morning.Quick recall
Butler Alfred at daybreak raises a finger: However, there's a condition before he serves.Details
The keyword for 但 is however. This kanji expresses the idea of a qualification, reservation, or exception to a preceding statement, functioning as a conjunction meaning "but," "however," or "provided that." It introduces a contrasting or limiting condition, signaling that what follows modifies or restricts what came before. In legal and formal writing, it is especially common as a way to add provisos or caveats.
- On'yomi
- たん
- Kun'yomi
- ただ.し