zi1 bat1 gwo3之不過之不过

Jyutpingzi1 bat1 gwo3

Yalejī bāt gwo

連詞Uncommon

Definition

But; however; nonetheless.

colloquialcommunication

How it's used

Functions as a slightly more emphatic or literary alternative to 但係 or 不過. It often carries a nuance of minimizing the preceding statement, suggesting that while the first part is true, the following clause provides a significant caveat or limitation. It is frequently used in slightly more formal speech or when someone is carefully explaining a situation.

Examples

ngo5我soeng2想heoi3去tai2睇hei3戲，zi1之bat1不gwo3過mou5冇jan4人pui4陪ngo5我。

I want to go see a movie, but nobody is going with me.

keoi5佢hou2好cung1聰ming4明，zi1之bat1不gwo3過seng4成jat6日dou1都hou2好laan2懶。

He is very smart, but he is always very lazy.

Common phrases

zi1之bat1不gwo3過hai6係

it is just that

Common mistake

Avoid using this in very casual, rapid-fire conversation where 但係 is more natural. It can sound slightly pretentious or overly dramatic if used to connect simple, everyday actions.