What does 不过 mean in Chinese?

不过 (bù guò) means "only; merely; no more than; but; however; anyway (to get back to a previous topic); cannot be more (after adjectival)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.

How do you pronounce 不过?

不过 is pronounced "bù guò" in Mandarin Chinese. It is made up of 2 syllables.

What HSK level is 不过?

不过 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam.

What characters make up 不过?

不过 is made up of the characters 不, 过. Each character has its own meaning and can appear in other words.

How do you write 不过?

You can practice writing 不过 using our stroke order tool.

不过 (bù guò), only

不过

bù guò

only; merely; no more than; but

HSK 4

Traditional: 不過

Characters in This Word

不过

Definitions

only
merely
no more than
but
however
anyway (to get back to a previous topic)
cannot be more (after adjectival)

Example Sentences

天气很冷，不过我还是出门了。

Tiānqì hěn lěng, búguò wǒ háishì chūmén le

The weather was cold, but I still went out

Related Words

但(dàn)· but

→

前门打虎，后门打狼(qián mén dǎ hǔ , hòu mén dǎ láng)· to beat a tiger from the front door, only to have a wolf come in at the back (idiom); fig. facing one problem after another

→

前门拒虎，后门进狼(qián mén jù hǔ , hòu mén jìn láng)· to beat a tiger from the front door, only to have a wolf come in at the back (idiom); fig. facing one problem after another

→

一口吃不成胖子(yī kǒu chī bù chéng pàng zi)· lit. you cannot get fat with only one mouthful (proverb)

→

Grammar Notes

Although (虽然...但是)HSK 2

虽然 + Concession, 但是/可是 + Contrast

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 4
HSK 2.0: HSK 4
HSK Lord study list: HSK 2 list

不过: HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 不过 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each word comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 4 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.