不过
Meaning
不过 has two uses: 1. A conjunction — “but”, “however”. It adds to or qualifies what came before. 2. An adverb — “only”, “merely”, “just”. It stresses that the amount or degree is small.
Basic structure
A, 不过 B. → A, but B.
不过 + amount / number → only, merely…
1. Conjunction: contrast
不过 does not reject what came before — it adds another side of the situation.
除了工作以外，家里还有母亲和儿子需要照顾
不过现在我很幸福
Softening or qualifying
你再早来一会儿就好了，那辆车刚开走，你只能等下一辆了
不过也不用多长时间，估计十几分钟就来了
2. Adverb: “only, merely”
我们不过谈了点儿工作方面的问题，别的都没谈
Replying to thanks
没有你的帮助，我们肯定不能按时完成任务，真是太谢谢你了
你太客气了，我不过是给了些建议，这一切都是你们辛苦努力的结果
不过 vs. 但是
| 不过 | 但是 |
|---|---|
| More conversational | More neutral, closer to written style |
| Softens the contrast | States the contrast more directly |
| Can also be an adverb: “only” | Cannot be an adverb ❌ |
Remember:
不过 → but, however (conjunction).
不过 → only, merely (adverb).
As a conjunction it opens the second clause; as an adverb it precedes the amount.
Softer and more spoken than 但是.