How common it is
不过 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say búguò slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
不过用于表示转折，相当于英语中的but。
búguò yòng yù bǎo zhé zhūn, dāng xiě yǐngháng lǐ de but.
不过 is used to indicate a contrast, similar to the English word 'but'.
Context note
不过常用于对话或叙述中，表示转折关系。
búguò cháng yòng yù bǎo huà huì huò xù shù zhōng, bǎo shí zhuǎn hé guān xiāng.
不过 is commonly used in conversations or narratives to indicate a contrast.
5 examples
不过天气很冷，我穿了件厚外套。
bú guò tiān qì hěn lěng， wǒ chuān le jiàn hòu wài tào。
But the weather was very cold, so I wore a thick coat.
不过他还是迟到了。
bú guò tā hái shì chí dào le。
But he was still late.
不过妈妈说可以晚点睡。
bú guò mā ma shuō kě yǐ wǎn diǎn shuì。
But Mom said we could go to bed later.
不过这次考试他没考好。
bú guò zhè cì kǎo shì tā méi kǎo hǎo。
But he didn't do well in this exam.
不过我觉得还是应该努力学习。
bú guò wǒ jué de hái shì yīng gāi nǔ lì xué xí。
But I think we should still work hard to study.
5 mini stories
妈妈说今天天气不错，不过我们还是在家里玩电脑游戏。
mā mā shuō jīn tiān tiān qì bú cuò， bú guò wǒ men hái shì zài jiā lǐ wán diàn nǎo yóu xì。
Mom said the weather was nice today, but we played computer games at home.
爸爸说要早点睡觉，不过他还是看了一会儿电视。
bà ba shuō yào zǎo diǎn shuì jiào， bú guò tā hái shì kàn le yí huì er diàn shì。
Dad said to go to bed early, but he watched TV for a while.
姐姐说她要去参加聚会，不过她还是决定在家看书。
jiě jie shuō tā yào qù cān jiā jù huì， bú guò tā hái shì jué dìng zài jiā kàn shū。
Sister said she was going to a party, but she decided to read books at home.
哥哥说他要早点回家，不过他在外面玩了很长时间。
gē ge shuō tā yào zǎo diǎn huí jiā， bú guò tā zài wài miàn wán le hěn cháng shí jiān。
Brother said he would come back early, but he played outside for a long time.
朋友说他要去旅行，不过他还是决定先完成作业。
péng yǒu shuō tā yào qù lǚ xíng， bú guò tā hái shì jué dìng xiān wán chéng zuò yè。
Friend said he was going on a trip, but he decided to finish his homework first.