不过 (búguò)

不过 is a versatile word used either as a conjunction meaning "however/but" (softer than 但是) or as an adverb meaning "only/merely."

Meanings

[conjunction] however, but (introduces a mild contrast or exception)
[adverb] only, merely, just (downplays the scale of something)

Example Sentences

这道题很难，不过我还是做出来了。 Zhè dào tí hěn nán, búguò wǒ háishì zuò chūlái le. This problem was very difficult, but I still managed to solve it.

他不过是个孩子，不要对他太严格。 Tā búguò shì gè háizi, bùyào duì tā tài yángé. He is only a child; don't be too strict with him.

这件事不过是个小误会，没什么大问题。 Zhè jiàn shì búguò shì gè xiǎo wùhuì, méi shénme dà wèntí. This matter is merely a small misunderstanding; it's not a big deal.

我想去旅游，不过最近工作太忙了。 Wǒ xiǎng qù lǚyóu, búguò zuìjìn gōngzuò tài máng le. I want to travel, but recently work has been too busy.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
不过如此	nothing more than this; just so-so
不过是	it's only / it's merely
说不过去	cannot justify; hard to explain
好不过	couldn't be better

Usage Notes

As a conjunction, 不过 is softer and more conversational than 但是 or 然而. It introduces a mild concession or qualification. As an adverb, it minimizes or downplays, similar to 只是 or 仅仅. Both usages are very common in everyday speech.

Memory Hook

不过 literally means "not going beyond" — it keeps things modest, either limiting a contrast ("but not going too far") or a quantity ("only this much").