guò
(Mandarin)
(Cantonese)

不過 (Traditional: 不過)

HSK 5

Dictionary

only/merely/no more than/but/however/anyway (to get back to a previous topic)/cannot be more (after adjectival)

Examples

这件衣服很漂亮,不过太贵了。

Zhè jiàn yīfu hěn piàoliang, bùguò tài guì le.

This piece of clothing is very beautiful, but it's too expensive.

Did You Know?

Confusable

Word Formation

不 means 'not' and 过 means 'to pass', together meaning 'but/however'.

Usage Tips

不过 is a casual 'but' used in conversation (不过,我累了 = But I'm tired), while 但是 is more formal—use 不过 for everyday talk, 但是 for writing.