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

  • 我 可以 喝 白酒,不过 只 能 喝 一点。Wǒ kěyǐ hē báijiǔ, bùguò zhǐ néng hē yīdiǎn . I can drink baijiu, but only a little.
  • 我们 玩得 很 开心,不过 住 的 地方 不 太 好。Wǒmen wán de hěn kāixīn, bùguò zhùde dìfang bù tài hǎo.We had a lot of fun, but the place we stayed at was not very good.
  • 他 的 汉语 不错,不过 发音 不 太 好。Tā de Hànyǔ bùcuò, bùguò fāyīn bù tài hǎo.His Chinese is pretty good, but his pronunciation is not very good.
  • 这 件 衣服 我 很 喜欢,不过 有点 贵。 Zhè jiàn yīfu wǒ hěn xǐhuan, bùguò yǒudiǎn guì. I like this piece of clothing, but it's a little bit expensive.
  • 这个 房子 很 好,不过 有点 远 。 Zhège fángzi hěn hǎo, bùguò yǒudiǎn yuǎn.This house is nice, but it's a little bit far away.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books