Chinese phrase
不过〜 bú guò 〜
Meaning
but ___
When to use it
Introduces a contrast or limitation to what was just said. It often softens a reply by acknowledging one point before adding a different or limiting point.
Example dialogue
周末一起去看电影吗？ zhōu mò yì qǐ qù kàn diàn yǐng ma
Would you like to go see a movie together this weekend?
我想去，不过票太贵。 wǒ xiǎng qù bú guò piào tài guì
I'd like to go, but the tickets are too expensive.