Meaning of 不过
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- only
- merely
- no more than
- but
- however
- anyway (to get back to a previous topic)
- cannot be more (after adjectival)
How to use 不过
In everyday speech 不过 most often means "but" or "however," and it sounds a little softer than 但是 (dànshì). It can also mean "only" before a number, or "extremely" after an adjective, as in 再好不过 (zài hǎo bùguò), "couldn't be better." Example: 这个菜很好吃，不过有点儿贵。 (Zhège cài hěn hǎochī, bùguò yǒudiǎnr guì.) This dish is tasty, but a bit expensive.
不过 is 不 (bù, not) plus 过 (guò, to pass or go beyond). Something that does "not go beyond" a point is "only" that much, and a thought that does not pass straight through turns with "but."
Common mistake: Learners often say the tone of 不 as fourth tone and stop there. Because 过 (guò) is fourth tone, 不 changes to second tone, so it is pronounced búguò. Also, 不过 starts the second clause. Do not pair it with 虽然 the way you would with 但是, since 虽然...但是 is the standard pattern.
不过 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
不 bù · no · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
过 guò · to cross · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 不过.
| 对不起 | duìbuqǐ | I'm sorry; excuse me; I beg your pardon; to let (sb) down; to disappoint |
| 是不是 | shì bu shì | is or is not (used to form yes-no questions) |
| 不用 | bùyòng | need not |
| 不大 | bù dà | not very (clear, far away etc); not too; not often; infrequently |
| 不对 | bùduì | incorrect; wrong |
| 不客气 | bù kèqì | you're welcome; don't mention it |
| 不要 | bùyào | don't!; must not |
| 过来 | guòlái | to come over; to manage |
| 不错 | bùcuò | correct; right |
| 不行 | bùxíng | won't do; be out of the question |
| 过去 | guòqù | (in the) past; former; previous; to go over; to pass by |
| 不同 | bù tóng | different; distinct |
Questions about 不过
What does 不过 mean?
不过 (bùguò) means "only; merely" and is used as a conjunction.
How do you write 不过?
不过 is made of 2 characters: 不 (4 strokes), 过 (6 strokes). That is 10 strokes in total.
Is 不过 an HSK word?
Yes. 不过 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 不过 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 不过 is written 不過.
What is the difference between 不过 and 但是?
Both mean "but." 但是 (dànshì) is a stronger, more direct contrast, while 不过 is milder and more conversational. It often adds a small reservation rather than a full reversal.
How is 不过 used to mean "only"?
Placed before a number or amount, 不过 means "no more than." For example, 他不过十岁 (tā bùguò shí suì) means "he is only ten years old." This use often suggests the amount is small.