(bú guò) - but, however, only, merely in Mandarin
búguòTraditional: 不過
HSK 3
#205 of 5,000 Core 1000
Translation
but, however, only, merely
Word origin
A two-character expression: 不 'not' plus 过 'to pass, to cross' (the movement radical 辶 with a phonetic element). Together 不过 means 'but, however' or 'only, merely'.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 不 (not) + 过 (辶 movement + phonetic)
Stroke order
不
过
Examples
。
However, you are right.
。
It is merely a small problem.
，。
I want to go, but I don't have time.
，。
I want to go, but I am too busy.
，雪。
It is cold, but it is not snowing.
不过 (bú guò) means but, however, only, merely. It is used as a conjunction in everyday Mandarin speech.
Used in
Grammar articles
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