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March 24, 2026
不过(不過)búguò(bu2guo4)
不过 (bùguò) is a conjunction that conveys a contrast or limitation, often translated as 'but' or 'however.' It can also imply that something is 'only' or 'merely' a certain way, highlighting a restriction or a return to a previous point in conversation.
Frequency#182DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese communication, using 不过 often helps to soften a statement or provide a polite contrast, reflecting the cultural emphasis on harmony and indirectness in conversations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person trying to jump over a small obstacle but only managing to land beside it. This visual represents 不 (bù) as a negation and 过 (guò) as 'crossing over.' Together, they remind you that while you may try to go beyond, you can only manage so much—hence 'only' or 'but.'
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AI Study Notes for 不过
Quick Contrast
不过 (bùguò) vs 但是 (dànshì) — use 不过 for a more casual tone or to imply a limitation, while 但是 is more formal.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person trying to jump over a small obstacle but only managing to land beside it. This visual represents 不 (bù) as a negation and 过 (guò) as 'crossing over.' Together, they remind you that while you may try to go beyond, you can only manage so much—hence 'only' or 'but.'
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 不过 with other conjunctions like 但是 (dànshì) or 然而 (rán'ér), which have slightly different nuances. Use 不过 in informal contexts or to return to a previous point, but avoid it in very formal writing. Be mindful of the tone; use the correct fourth tone for both characters.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 不过 connects well with other conjunctions and transitional phrases you will learn. Focus on understanding its use in contrasting statements and as a way to limit or specify meaning in sentences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese communication, using 不过 often helps to soften a statement or provide a polite contrast, reflecting the cultural emphasis on harmony and indirectness in conversations.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 不过 where 但是 would be more appropriate, especially in formal contexts. For example, saying '我喜欢这个，但不过它很贵' is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢这个，但它很贵'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 不过
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Grammar Patterns of 不过
不过 functions as a conjunction — it connects clauses or phrases. Many Chinese conjunctions come in pairs (虽然…但是…, 因为…所以…); use them at the front of the clauses they link. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
We have lost everything, but thank God, our lives have been spared.
9
国王只不过是给了这些政客自缚的绳子。
guó wáng zhī bù guò shì gěi le zhè xiē zhèng kè zì fù de shéng zǐ。
The King has merely given the politicians enough rope to hang themselves.
10
这桩交易有些冒险，不过巴格利也没什么可损失的。
zhè zhuāng jiāo yì yǒu xiē mào xiǎn， ， bù guò bā gé lì yě méi shí mó kě sǔn shī。
The deal was a long shot, but Bagley had little to lose.
Cultural Notes for 不过
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese communication, using 不过 often helps to soften a statement or provide a polite contrast, reflecting the cultural emphasis on harmony and indirectness in conversations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 不过
Yes, you can use 不过 at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a contrasting idea, similar to how you would use 'however' in English.
不过 is generally considered informal, so it may be more appropriate for spoken language or casual writing.
虽然 both mean 'but,' 不过 tends to imply a limitation or softens the contrast, while 但是 is more direct and emphatic.
