不過

But/however (Softer)

Level 2Sounds Like bat1 gwo3

Use 不過 (bat1 gwo3) to say 'but' or 'however'. It is largely interchangeable with 但係 (daan6 hai6), though it can sometimes feel like a slightly softer qualifier. It can also mean 'merely' or 'just'.

How It Works

In Cantonese, there are several ways to say 'but.' The most common is 但係 (daan6 hai6), which is the neutral default. 不過 (bat1 gwo3) is largely interchangeable with it, though it can sometimes feel like a slightly softer alternative.

1. Usage as 'But'
Native speakers use 不過 when they want to qualify a statement. For example, if you say someone is smart but lazy, using 不過 suggests the laziness is a side note or a minor flaw. However, 但係 is also perfectly natural and not inherently aggressive or blunt. You will also frequently hear the expanded compound 之不過 (zi1 bat1 gwo3) used as a conjunction meaning 'but/however'.

2. Usage as 'Merely' or 'Just'
Unlike 但係, 不過 can also function as an adverb meaning 'merely' or 'just'. In this context, native speakers frequently use the expanded compound 只不過 (zi2 bat1 gwo3) or the highly common spoken variant 之不過 (zi1 bat1 gwo3) (which, as noted above, can also mean 'but'), though 不過 alone is also perfectly natural. It is overwhelmingly paired with the verb 係 (hai6) and often paired with a sentence-final particle such as 啫 (ze1) or 咋 (zaa3) to emphasize that something is 'merely' the case (e.g., 佢只不過係細路啫 - He is just a kid). It can also directly precede numbers or timeframes without 係 (e.g., 只不過兩日咋 - merely two days).

Note: 不過 vs 淨係
Do not confuse 不過/只不過 with 淨係 (zing6 hai6). 淨係 means 'only' in an exclusive sense (e.g., I only ate an apple, nothing else). 不過 means 'merely' in an evaluative sense (e.g., it was merely an apple, nothing special).

3. Sentence Structure
When used as 'but', it appears at the start of the second clause:
[Statement A], 不過 [Statement B].
When used as 'merely', it appears before the verb (usually 係) or a number/timeframe:
[Subject] + (只/之)不過 + 係 + [Noun/Adjective]... 啫.

4. Common Pairings & Set Phrases
While 雖然 (seoi1 jin4) is the most common daily pairing for 'although... but...', you will frequently see 雖然 paired with 不過 as a natural alternative. It is also frequently paired with 咋 (zaa3) or 啫 (ze1) to emphasize a limitation. Additionally, there is a highly common set phrase 最好不過 (zeoi3 hou2 bat1 gwo3), which functions as a predicate meaning 'could not be better'. Here, 不過 acts as a suffix meaning 'not exceeding' (i.e., nothing exceeds how good this is). Another highly relevant idiom is 不過不失 (bat1 gwo3 bat1 sat1), meaning 'mediocre' or 'passable' (literally 'no exceeding, no losing'), which further illustrates the evaluative nature of the word.

5. Register
Unlike many Cantonese-specific words, 不過 is used in both spoken Cantonese and written Chinese. This contrasts with 但係, which is strictly spoken (its written equivalent is 但是). This makes 不過 a very versatile tool for learners to become proficient in, as it doesn't require code-switching between registers.

Examples (5)

  1. 佢好叻，不過有啲懶。

    He is very smart, but he's a bit lazy.

    Word by Word: He very smart, but have a-bit lazy.

    Here, 不過 (bat1 gwo3) introduces a minor negative trait after a compliment.

  2. 我識講廣東話，不過識少少啫。

    I know how to speak Cantonese, but I only know a little bit.

    Word by Word: I know speak Cantonese, but know little-little [particle].

    Paired with the particle 啫 (ze1), it emphasizes that the 'but' is just a small limitation.

  3. 佢不過係個細路啫。

    He is only a child.

    Word by Word: He only is [CL] child [particle].

    In this sentence, 不過 (bat1 gwo3) acts as an adverb meaning 'only' or 'just', rather than a conjunction.

  4. 呢件衫好靚，不過貴咗啲。

    This shirt is very pretty, but it's a bit too expensive.

    Word by Word: This [CL] shirt very pretty, but expensive [change-state] a-bit.

    Using 不過 (bat1 gwo3) here makes the criticism of the price sound like a gentle observation.

  5. 我不過係想幫你咋嘛。

    I just wanted to help you, that's all.

    Word by Word: I only is want help you [particle].

    Here 不過 (bat1 gwo3) means 'just'. It is often paired with particles like 咋嘛 (zaa3 maa3) to downplay the action.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 不過 (bat1 gwo3) with 淨係 (zing6 hai6) for 'only'.

    我不過食咗蘋果。
    我淨係食咗蘋果。

    When you mean 'only' in the sense of exclusion (I ate an apple and nothing else), use 淨係 (zing6 hai6). 不過 (bat1 gwo3) or 只不過 (zi2 bat1 gwo3) means 'merely' or 'nothing more than' (e.g., it was merely an apple).

  • Confusing 'bat1 gwo3' with the Mandarin 'kesi' (可是).

    佢係好人，可是佢好窮。
    佢係好人，不過佢好窮。

    Using 'kesi' (可是) in spoken Cantonese sounds like you are reading from a textbook or speaking Mandarin; 'bat1 gwo3' is the natural choice.

How It Connects

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不過Level 2But/however (Softer)

Learn This First

不過 is a conjunction used to link two clauses with a contrastive relationship. To use it effectively, learners should already be familiar with the standard word for 'but' (但係) and how to structure basic sentences and negations in Cantonese.

Words in This Pattern

不过