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 clothing, but it's a little bit expensive.
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 whether there was not very good, but we had a lot of fun.
你可以参加，不过我有个条件。Nǐ kěyǐ cānjiā, bùguò wǒ yǒu gè tiáojiàn.You can participate, but I have a condition.
工作压力有点大，不过我已经习惯了。Gōngzuò yālì yǒudiǎn dà, bùguò wǒ yǐjīng xíguàn le.Working pressure is a little too much, but I'm already used to it.
他的汉语口语不错，不过不认识汉字。Tā de Hànyǔ kǒuyǔ bùcuò, bùguò bù rènshi hànzì.His speaking Chinese is pretty good, but he doesn't know any characters.
我的钱包丢了，不过里面没什么重要的东西。Wǒ de qiánbāo diū le, bùguò lǐmiàn méishénme zhòngyào de dōngxi.I lost my wallet, but there was nothing important in it.
他们昨天吵架了，不过又和好了。Tāmen zuótiān chǎojià le, bùguò yòu héhǎo le.They had a fight yesterday, but they made up.
这个学生很聪明，不过不太努力。Zhège xuéshēng hěn cōngming, bùguò bù tài nǔlì.This student is very smart, but he's not very hardworking.
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.

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books