只不过

只不過

zhǐbuguò

adverb HSK 5 #1,202

Meanings

HSK 1

我只不过开了个玩笑，别生气。

Wǒ zhǐbuguò kāi le gè wánxiào, bié shēngqì.

I was merely joking; don't be mad.

HSK 3

这只不过是开始。

Zhè zhǐbuguò shì kāishǐ.

This is just the beginning.

HSK 5

他们之间只不过是一点小矛盾。

Tāmen zhījiān zhǐbuguò shì yì diǎn xiǎo máodùn.

Between them it's merely a minor disagreement.

usage

只不过 downplays the significance of something. It is stronger than just 只 and conveys "it is nothing more than..." Often used to reassure or minimize.

只 zhǐ

不 bù

过 guò