Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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.
Strokes10Frequency#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.'
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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.
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.
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
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 不过 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 不过 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 不过?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 不过 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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.
When to use 不过
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.
不过 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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'.
Write 不过
不
过
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 不过 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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.
