Definition
不过 (bù guò) is a versatile word meaning 'but, however' (conjunction) and 'only, merely' (adverb). As a conjunction, it's more conversational than 但是 (dàn shì) and softer than 却 (què). As an adverb, it's similar to 只是 (zhǐ shì) but can also appear in the pattern 最+Adj+不过了 to mean 'couldn't be more'.
conjunction
buthowever
adverb
onlymerelyno more than (used before a number or quantity)cannot be moreextremely (used after an adjective in the pattern 最+Adj+不过了)
Examples
- ，不过。Wǒ xiǎng qù, bù guò tài máng le.I want to go, but I'm too busy.
- 不过。Tā bù guò èrshí suì.He is only twenty years old.
- 不过。Zhège wèntí jiǎndān bù guò le.This question couldn't be simpler.
Grammar
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