A softer "but" with "buguo"

Instead of just using 可是 or 但是, the softer and less formal way to say "but" in Chinese is 不过 (búguò). The meaning is closer to "however" or "nevertheless" in English.

Examples

• 喝 白酒 可以，不过 不 能 太 烈。
• 我 想 帮助 你，不过 我 没有 空。
• 他 的 汉语 水平 很 高，不过 他 的 声调 不 太 好。

See also

• Two words for "but"
• "Although" with "suiran" and "danshi"

Sources and further reading

Books

• Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 258) →buy
• Short-term Spoken Chinese: Elementary (汉语口语速成基础篇) (pp. 23) →buy
• Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) (pp. 254) →buy
• Boya Chinese Lower Intermediate 1 (博雅汉语准中级加速篇) (pp. 12) →buy