A softer "but" with "buguo"

Instead of just using 可是 or 但是, you can also use the softer and more informal 不过 (búguò).

Structure

Just like its counterparts, "不过" is a conjunction that comes between two distinct clauses.

Clause 1, 不过 + Clause 2

Examples

  • 喝 白酒 可以,不过 酒 的 度数 不 能 太 高。Hē báijiǔ kěyǐ, bùguò jiǔ de dùshu bù néng tài gāo.Drinking baijiu is okay, but the alcoholic content cannot be too high.
  • 我 想 帮 你,不过 我 没有 空。Wǒ xiǎng bāng nǐ, bùguò wǒ méiyǒu kōng.I want to help you, but I don't have time.
  • 他 的 汉语 水平 很 高,不过 他 的 声调 不 太 好。Tā de Hànyǔ shuǐpíng hěn gāo, bùguò tā de shēngdiào bù tài hǎo.His Chinese level is very high, but his tones aren't very good.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books