不过 (bùguò) — use 只不过 to emphasize that something is merely a minor point or less significant, while 不过 can serve as a simple conjunction meaning 'however'.

Imagine a person holding a tiny pebble and saying, 'This is just a small thing, nothing more.' The character 只 (zhǐ) looks like a single line, suggesting 'only,' while 不 (bù) means 'not', and 过 (guò) implies 'to pass' or 'to go over.' Together, they emphasize the simplicity of the situation.

Learners often confuse 只不过 with other similar conjunctions like 只是 (zhǐ shì) or 只要 (zhǐ yào), which have different nuances. 只不过 is often used in informal contexts, so avoid using it in overly formal writing.

Although 只不过 is not an official HSK vocabulary word, it is useful for learners at HSK 3 and above. Focus on using it to simplify explanations or clarify misunderstandings in conversations.

In Chinese culture, humility is valued, and 只不过 reflects this by minimizing one's achievements or situations. It is common for speakers to use this phrase to maintain modesty.

Learners sometimes use 只不过 to mean 'only' in all contexts, which can lead to awkward phrasing. For example, saying '我只不过喜欢这个' (I only like this) is incorrect; it should be '我只是喜欢这个' (I just like this).