(bú guò) - but, however, only, merely in Mandarin

búguò

Traditional: 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xuě。

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.

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Used in

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Mandarin · Free printables

不过: worksheet, infographic and listicle

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This word is part of lesson 5.