不过

不過

búguò

conjunction HSK 2 #182

Meanings

1 but
2 however
3 only; merely

Characters

to pass; to exceed

Examples

他很聪明，不过不太努力。

Tā hěn cōngmíng, búguò bú tài nǔlì.

He's smart, but not very hardworking.

东西不错，不过有点贵。

Dōngxi búcuò, búguò yǒudiǎn guì.

The stuff is nice, but a bit expensive.

不过是个小问题。

Búguò shì gè xiǎo wèntí.

It's merely a small problem.

Tips

usage

不过 is softer than 但是. It introduces a gentle contrast or adds a mild caveat.

grammar

As 'only/merely': 不过是 + noun/clause. As 'but': placed between two clauses.

Stroke Order

不 bù

过 guò