Meaning of bet | Babel Free
[bɛt]Definitions
- adversative conjunction, used to express contrast or opposition; but
- expressing contrast, opposition with a nuance of concession; yet, but still
- expressing strong contrast, opposition; but, but instead
- expressing strong contrast, opposition; but not
- (expressing strong contrast, opposition)
- expressing opposition to the preceding event, which did not achieve its goal, was frustrated (indeed) ... but
- used to express an inconsistency or contradiction between two clauses, or a frustrated expectation
- used to connect a sentence to the preceding context, indicating an inconsistency or contradiction, or a frustrated expectation; But...
- used to connect a subordinate clause indicating concession to a main clause; but
- used to coordinate clause elements; not only ..., but also
- used to strengthen emotionally the idea expressed in a sentence as opposed to some expectation but...!, but then...!
- obstacle, hindrance, “but”
Examples
“istaba bija maza, bet mājīga”
the room was small but cozy
“komandiera īsais, bet atlētiskais augums veidoja neskaidru siluetu”
the commander's short but athletic body (lit. size) made an unclear, vague silhouette
“stiprs un izturīgs, bet tomēr tāds kā paviegls, likās, visvairāk tikai aiz lielības Martiņš te skrēja”
strong and enduring, yet somewhat light; it seemed that Martiņš was running there rather because of posturing (= to be able to boast about it)
“tur nestāvēja rakstāmgaldi, bet gan parasti virtuves galdi ar vienu atvilktni”
the desks weren't there, but instead simple kitchen tables with (only) one drawer
“Šellija Prometejs neienīst savu mocītāju Jupiteru, bet gan sirsnīgi nožēlo”
Shelley's Prometheus does not hate his tormentor Jupiter, but instead sincerely regrets (what he did)
“atnāca Jānis, bet nevis Pēteris”
Jānis came, but not Pēteris
“etiķim jābūt dzidram, skābam, bet ne asam, kodīgam”
vinegar must be clear, acid, but not sharp, harsh (= ‘biting’)
“tas, kas neredzams sēž uz soliņa man līdzās, nav Roberts, bet Harijs”
the one sitting invisibly on the bench near me is not Roberts, but Harijs
“vīnu apkārt dodama, viņa nenolaida acu, bet skatījās katram taisni sējā”
(while) giving wine around, she did not lower her eyes, but (instead) looked straight in the face of every one (of them)
“ne atpakaļ, bet uz priekšu iet mūsu dzīves gaita!”
not backward, but forward our life's pace goes!
“automobilis brauca nevis pa lielceļu, bet taisni pa meža ceļu”
the car did not go on the highway, but straight along the forest road
“Sīmanis gan mantu novēlēja, bet mir nenomira”
Sīmanis did indeed want the property, but die, he didn't (= he did not go as far as dying for it)
“rokas gan pieķēris ratu malai, bet neparko nevarēja attrāpīt ass galu”
(his) hands did (manage to) catch the edge of the wheel, but couldn't reach the end of the axle
“lietus beidzot pārgājis, bet saules nav”
the rain has finally passed, but there is no sun
“meitenes bārienu gaida, bet štāba priekšnieks smaida...”
the girls were expecting a scolding, but the chief of staff smiled...
“Jānis Bruzils juta, ka viena acs tam pamazām aiztūkst un apmiglo kā ar sarkanu miglu, bet toties otra kļūst arvien skaidrāka”
Jānis Bruzils felt that one eye was slowly swelling and becoming covered with a red mist, but in contrast the other was becoming clearer and clearer
“Līzei bija bezgala žēl izmocītās jaunās sievas. Bet nu bija jāiet iekšā un jārunājas ar citiem”
Līze was infinitely sorry for the exhausted young woman. But she had to go in and talk to others.
“pēc svētkiem Kārlēns aizgāja un solījās pārnākt atkal rudenī. Bet nepārnāca ne rudenī, ne pavasarī...”
after the festivities Kārlēns went (away), promising to stay there again next fall. But he didn't come neither next fall, nor next spring...
“lai kāds dzērājs Vanags, bet ataugu viņš taupīja, ragavām ilksi, pat to viņš neļāva nocirst savā mežā”
that Vanags may be a drunkard, but he conserved the (new) forest growth, sleigh lumber (= wood for making sleighs), he didn't let it be cut in his forest
“riekstu eļļa noder ne vien uzturam, bet arī parfimērijas un laku pagatavošanai”
hazelnut oil is useful not only for consumption, but also for perfume and varnish producers
“Nikolajs Sņegovs bija ļoti aizrāvies ne tikai ar matemātiku, bet arī ar seno laiku vēsturi”
Nikolajs Sņegovs was very fascinated not only by mathematics, but also by ancient history
“bet tad nosēts linu lauks, bez vienas svītrinas, kā ar palagu noklāts!”
but then the flax field was (fully) strewn, as if covered with a blanket
“bet tad ir gan milzenis akmens!”
but that is a giant stone!
“šim pasākumam ir savs “bet””
this undertaking has its own but (= there is an obstacle to it)
“tas jau slikti nebūtu, sieviņ, bet ir viens bet”
that wouldn't be bad, wifey, but there is one “but”...
CEFR level
This word is part of the CEFR A1 vocabulary — beginner level.
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