but; however; only
HSK level
不过 is written with 10 strokes (不: 4, 过: 6). The animation replays automatically.
不过 (bùguò) has two everyday senses.
As a conjunction it means 'but / however,' softening a preceding statement — gentler and more conversational than 但是, often adding a small qualification rather than a hard contrast: 这件衣服很漂亮，不过有点贵 (this outfit is pretty, but a bit expensive). As an adverb before a number or amount it means 'only / merely / no more than,' downplaying quantity: 他不过是个孩子 (he's only a child).
A third structure, adjective + 不过 (再好不过 = couldn't be better), turns it into a superlative marker. English speakers should note that as 'but,' 不过 feels lighter than 但是 and frequently starts a sentence to add an afterthought, and that its 'only' meaning is separate from its 'but' meaning.
Note: The conjunction sense ('but') is common and slightly softer/more conversational than 但是. The adverbial sense ('only, merely') is also everyday spoken.
Character by character
Memory hook: 'Not' (不) 'exceeding' (过) — 'no more than' / 'only'; and by extension, a gentle 'but' that walks the point back a little.
这件衣服很好看，不过有点贵。
Zhè jiàn yīfu hěn hǎokàn, bùguò yǒudiǎn guì.
This outfit looks nice, but it's a bit expensive.
spoken
他不过是想帮你。
Tā bùguò shì xiǎng bāng nǐ.
He only wanted to help you.
neutral
我想去，不过没有时间。
Wǒ xiǎng qù, bùguò méiyǒu shíjiān.
I want to go, but I don't have time.
spoken
能和你一起工作，再好不过了。
Néng hé nǐ yìqǐ gōngzuò, zài hǎo bùguò le.
Getting to work with you couldn't be better.
neutral
但是 is a stronger, more formal 'but' marking a clear contrast. 不过 is softer and more conversational, often adding a minor caveat rather than a full turn. Use 但是 for a firm 'however,' 不过 for a gentle 'though.'
只是 means 'it's just that / only' and, like 不过, softly qualifies a statement. 只是 leans toward 'the only issue is…'; 不过 can be either 'but' or 'merely.' They overlap when adding a mild reservation.
Acquire it by listening
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