只
不
过

About

The word 只不过 is formed by combining the character 只, meaning "only", with 不, meaning "not", and 过, meaning "over" or "exceed". This sequence literally conveys "only not exceeding", which grammatically functions as a conjunction or adverb to express a limiting or contrasting idea, equivalent to "but" or "only" in English.

Example Sentences Hide

这只不过是个小问题。

Zhè zhǐ bùguò shì gè xiǎo wèntí.

This is just a small problem.

我只不过迟到了五分钟。

Wǒ zhǐ bùguò chídàole wǔ fēnzhōng.

I was only five minutes late.

他只不过开个玩笑，你别当真。

Tā zhǐ bùguò kāi gè wánxiào, nǐ bié dàngzhēn.

He was just joking; don't take it seriously.

这次失败只不过是我们学习过程中的一个教训。

Zhè cì shībài zhǐ bùguò shì wǒmen xuéxí guòchéng zhōng de yī gè jiàoxun.

This failure is just a lesson in our learning process.

财富只不过是一种工具，真正的幸福来自于内心。

Cáifù zhǐ bùguò shì yī zhǒng gōngjù, zhēnzhèng de xìngfú láizì yú nèixīn.

Wealth is merely a tool; true happiness comes from within.

Word Definition - 只不过

zhǐ bu guò only; merely; nothing but; no more than; it's just that ...

Individual Character Details

只 zhī, zhǐ, zhǐ, zhī, zhǐ, zhī
不 bù
过 guō, guò, guo