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Adversative Sentences: “……,不过……”

In Chinese, “不过” (búguò) opens the second clause and adds a contrast or a qualification to what was said before.

How it is translated

most often: however but though

Basic structure

first clause, 不过 + second clause

Meaning

… , however …
这个小区的环境真不错,不过我听说,附近有十几家公司,很多刚毕业的学生都租住在这里
这个小区的环境真不错, the environment in this complex is really nice
不过 + 我听说…… however + I heard…
这个小区 — this residential complex 环境真不错 — the environment is really nice 不过 — however / but 我听说 — I heard 附近 — nearby 十几家公司 — more than ten companies 刚毕业的学生 — recent graduates 租住在这里 — rent and live here
我们在动物园看见了很多动物,不过没看见大熊猫
我们在动物园看见了很多动物, we saw a lot of animals at the zoo
不过 + 没看见大熊猫 however + we didn’t see the giant panda
动物园 — zoo 看见了很多动物 — saw a lot of animals 不过 — however 没看见 — did not see 大熊猫 — giant panda
我刚来北京时还不太习惯这里的天气,不过很快就适应了
我刚来北京时还不太习惯这里的天气, when I had just arrived in Beijing I was not yet used to the weather here
不过 + 很快就适应了 however + I adapted very quickly
刚来北京时 — when I had just come to Beijing 不太习惯 — not be very used to 这里的天气 — the weather here 不过 — however / but 很快 — very quickly 就适应了 — soon adapted

Rule in brief

A, 不过 B
Clause A is followed by clause B, which contrasts with it or qualifies it.
环境真不错,不过……
看见了很多动物,不过没看见大熊猫
还不太习惯,不过很快就适应了