不过
HSK 4 (exam 2025)HSK 2 (2021)Old HSK 4
不过 (bùguò) · but
不过 (bùguò) means “but; however; only”. It is written with 2 characters: 不 (not) + 过 (to pass). It is an HSK 4 word in the current exam syllabus (2025).
How 不过 is built
The characters
不 bù · not
What 不 is made of
- 一 — horizontal stroke
Origin hint: A bird flying toward the sky 一 (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)
过 guò · to pass
What 过 is made of
- 辶 — walking, moving
- 寸cùn — inch
Origin hint: 辶 gives the meaning, 咼 gives the sound. (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)
Example sentences
这个菜很好吃，不过有点儿贵。Zhège cài hěn hǎochī, bùguò yǒudiǎnr guì.This dish is tasty, but a bit expensive.
他不过是个孩子。Tā bùguò shì gè háizi.He's only a child.
Questions about 不过
What does 不过 mean?
不过 (bùguò) means “but; however; only”.
How do you pronounce 不过?
不过 is pronounced bùguò.
Which HSK level is 不过?
不过 is in HSK 4 (exam 2025) and HSK 2 (2021) and Old HSK 4.
Related words
- 不大bùdànot very
- 不对bùduìwrong
- 不客气bùkèqiyou are welcome
- 不用bùyòngno need
- 对不起duìbuqǐsorry
- 是不是shìbushìis it or not
- 不错bùcuònot bad
- 不但bùdànnot only (... but also ...)
- 不够bùgòunot enough
- 不太bùtàinot very
Learn 不过 with its group
It is part of HSK 2 (2021) · Group 33: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.