Usage note
不过用于表示转折，相当于英语中的but。
búguò yòng yù bǎo zhé zhūn, dāng xiě yǐngháng lǐ de but.
不过 is used to indicate a contrast, similar to the English word 'but'.
Context note
不过常用于对话或叙述中，表示转折关系。
búguò cháng yòng yù bǎo huà huì huò xù shù zhōng, bǎo shí zhuǎn hé guān xiāng.
不过 is commonly used in conversations or narratives to indicate a contrast.
5 examples
不过天气很冷，我穿了件厚外套。
bú guò tiān qì hěn lěng， wǒ chuān le jiàn hòu wài tào。
But the weather was very cold, so I wore a thick coat.
不过他还是迟到了。
bú guò tā hái shì chí dào le。
But he was still late.
不过妈妈说可以晚点睡。
bú guò mā ma shuō kě yǐ wǎn diǎn shuì。
But Mom said we could go to bed later.
不过这次考试他没考好。
bú guò zhè cì kǎo shì tā méi kǎo hǎo。
But he didn't do well in this exam.
不过我觉得还是应该努力学习。
bú guò wǒ jué de hái shì yīng gāi nǔ lì xué xí。
But I think we should still work hard to study.
5 mini stories
妈妈说今天天气不错，不过我们还是在家里玩电脑游戏。
mā mā shuō jīn tiān tiān qì bú cuò， bú guò wǒ men hái shì zài jiā lǐ wán diàn nǎo yóu xì。
Mom said the weather was nice today, but we played computer games at home.
爸爸说要早点睡觉，不过他还是看了一会儿电视。
bà ba shuō yào zǎo diǎn shuì jiào， bú guò tā hái shì kàn le yí huì er diàn shì。
Dad said to go to bed early, but he watched TV for a while.
姐姐说她要去参加聚会，不过她还是决定在家看书。
jiě jie shuō tā yào qù cān jiā jù huì， bú guò tā hái shì jué dìng zài jiā kàn shū。
Sister said she was going to a party, but she decided to read books at home.
哥哥说他要早点回家，不过他在外面玩了很长时间。
gē ge shuō tā yào zǎo diǎn huí jiā， bú guò tā zài wài miàn wán le hěn cháng shí jiān。
Brother said he would come back early, but he played outside for a long time.
朋友说他要去旅行，不过他还是决定先完成作业。
péng yǒu shuō tā yào qù lǚ xíng， bú guò tā hái shì jué dìng xiān wán chéng zuò yè。
Friend said he was going on a trip, but he decided to finish his homework first.
Mini dialogue
借书
A
我可以借你的故事书看看吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ jiè nǐ de gùshì shū kànkan ma?
Can I borrow your storybook to read?
B
可以，不过明天要还给我哦。
Kěyǐ, búguò míngtiān yào huán gěi wǒ o.
Yes, but you need to return it to me tomorrow.
去操场
A
我们一起去操场玩吧。
Wǒmen yīqǐ qù cāochǎng wán ba.
Let's go play on the playground together.
B
好主意，不过我得先做完作业。
Hǎo zhǔyi, búguò wǒ děi xiān zuò wán zuòyè.
Good idea, but I have to finish my homework first.
Related words and contrasts
similar
但是
dànshì
but
不过 is softer and more casual than 但是
similar
可是
kěshì
but
可是 is also common in spoken Chinese, similar to 不过