不过
HSK 3- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Conjunction 不过 expresses a mild shift in meaning, equivalent to "but" or "however," and is commonly used in spoken language.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Use 不过 to connect two clauses, where the second clause introduces a supplementary idea or a mild contrast to the first. Compared to 但是 (but), 不过 carries a softer tone, similar to "the thing is…" or "it's just that…". It is commonly used in spoken language to make speech more gentle and tactful when expressing a contrasting opinion or a certain limitation.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 这件衣服很好看，不过有点儿贵。繁: 這件衣服很好看，不過有點兒貴。Zhè jiàn yīfu hěn hǎokàn, bùguò yǒudiǎnr guì.
This outfit looks really nice, but it's a bit expensive.
- 他很聪明，不过不太努力。繁: 他很聰明，不過不太努力。Tā hěn cōngming, bùguò bù tài nǔlì.
He is very intelligent, but not very diligent.
- 今天天气不错，不过风有点大。繁: 今天天氣不錯，不過風有點大。Jīntiān tiānqì bùcuò, bùguò fēng yǒudiǎn dà.
The weather today is quite nice, but the wind is a bit strong.
- 我可以帮你，不过你得请我吃饭。繁: 我可以幫你，不過你得請我吃飯。Wǒ kěyǐ bāng nǐ, bùguò nǐ děi qǐng wǒ chīfàn.
I can help you, but you have to treat me to a meal.
- 去旅游很好，不过我最近没时间。繁: 去旅遊很好，不過我最近沒時間。Qù lǚyóu hěn hǎo, bùguò wǒ zuìjìn méi shíjiān.
Traveling would be great, but I don't have time recently.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他很有钱，不过他一点儿也不快乐。Correct:他虽然很有钱，但是他一点儿也不快乐。
When the contrast is strong and unexpected, the structure `虽然...但是...` is more natural than using `不过`.
- Wrong:我不过想问一个问题。Correct:我只想问一个问题。
不过 as a conjunction means "but". To express the meaning of "only", you should use the adverb 只.