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.

Examples

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.
这家餐厅我没去过，不过我听说还不错。 Zhè jiā cāntīng wǒ méi qù guo, bùguò wǒ tīngshuō hái bùcuò. I've never been to this restaurant, but I heard it's pretty good.
这个学生很聪明，不过有点懒。 Zhège xuéshēng hěn cōngming, bùguò yǒudiǎn lǎn. This student is very smart, but he's a little lazy.
那儿的天气不太好，不过我们玩得很开心。 Nàr de tiānqì bù tài hǎo, bùguò wǒmen wán de hěn kāixīn. The weather there was not very good, but we had a lot of fun.
他是东北人，不过他没有口音。 Tā shì Dōngběi rén, bùguò tā méiyǒu kǒuyīn. He's from the Northeast, but he doesn't have the accent.
他说得不错，不过不认识汉字。 Tā shuō de bùcuò, bùguò bù rènshi hànzì. He can speak well, but he doesn't know any Chinese characters.
我的钱包丢了，不过没丢什么重要的东西。 Wǒ de qiánbāo diū le, bùguò méi diū shénme zhòngyào de dōngxi. I lost my wallet, but I didn't lose anything important.
刚来的时候很想家，不过现在习惯了。 Gāng lái de shíhou hěn xiǎng jiā, bùguò xiànzài xíguàn le. I was homesick when I first got here, but I'm getting used to it now.
你可以参加，不过有个条件。 Nǐ kěyǐ cānjiā, bùguò wǒ yǒu gè tiáojiàn. You can participate, but there is a condition.
我们在考虑，不过还没决定。 Wǒmen zài kǎolǜ, bùguò hái méi juédìng. We're considering, but we haven't decided yet.

A softer "but" with "buguo"

Contents

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books