那 and 但 for “In That Case” and “But”
At the start of a reply, 那 means “then, in that case”; 但 is a shorter 但是 for “but”. Together with 虽然, 因为, 所以 and 还是, they join clauses.
Patrón
A：situation。 B：那 + suggestion / question · clause 1，但(是) + clause 2
Use 那 to build on what someone just said (“then, in that case”), and 但 or 但是 to bring in a contrast.
A：今天下雨了。 B：那我们明天去吧。
When to use 那 and 但 for “In That Case” and “But”
那 does two jobs. Before a measure word it means “that” (那本书). At the start of a clause, especially in a reply, it means “then, in that case”: it takes what the other person just said and draws a suggestion or a question from it: A：今天下雨了。B：那我们明天去吧。但 means “but”, just like 但是; it is a little shorter and is used in both speech and writing. Both come at the start of their clause, before the subject.
这件衣服很好看，但有点儿贵。
This piece of clothing looks nice, but it’s a bit expensive.
我很想去，但我明天要上课。
I’d really like to go, but I have class tomorrow.
外面下雨了，所以我们没去公园。
It was raining outside, so we didn’t go to the park.
虽然今天很冷，但是我们还是去跑步了。
Although it was cold today, we still went running.
Errores frecuentes
- 那 meaning “in that case” comes at the start of the clause, before the subject: 那我们明天去吧.
- 但 and 但是 begin the second clause; don’t put them at the end like English “though”.
- 那 + measure word means “that” (那个人); 那 + subject or question means “then” (那你去吧). Check what follows.
Ejercicio dirigido
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