只不过

只不過

zhǐbuguò

adverb HSK 5 #1,202

Meanings

1 only
2 merely
3 nothing but

Characters

Examples

他只不过是个孩子。

Tā zhǐ bu guò shì gè háizi.

He's only a child.

我只不过开了个玩笑，别生气。

Wǒ zhǐ bu guò kāi le gè wánxiào, bié shēngqì.

I was merely joking; don't be mad.

这只不过是开始。

Zhè zhǐ bu guò shì kāishǐ.

This is just the beginning.

Tips

usage

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

Stroke Order

只 zhǐ

不 bù

过 guò