不过 (a softer “but”)

Good, with one small problem

• A friend asks about the hotel you stayed in. It was clean and friendly, but noisy at night.
• room房间fáng jiānreally很hěnclean干净gān jìng，but不过bú guòevening晚上wǎn shàngslightly有点儿yǒu diǎn érto quarrel吵chǎo。 — "The room was clean, though it was a bit noisy at night."

A，but不过bú guò B = but, though (softer)

• but不过bú guò introduces a contrast or a small reservation, more gently than but但是dàn shì.
• It starts the second clause: I我wǒreally很hěnwant to想xiǎnggo去qù，but不过bú guòtoday今天jīn tiānhave no没méitime时间shí jiān.

I我wǒreally很hěnwant to想xiǎnggo去qù，but不过bú guòtoday今天jīn tiānhave no没méitime时间shí jiān。

Adding a condition or a minor point

• you你nǐcan可以kě yǐuse用yòngI我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的decomputer电脑diàn nǎo，but不过bú guòdon't别biédownload下载xià zàigames游戏yóu xì。 — "You can use my computer, but don't download games."
• The first clause is usually positive; but不过bú guò adds the limit.

you你nǐcan可以kě yǐuse用yòngmy我wǒ的decomputer电脑diàn nǎo，but不过bú guòdon't别biédownload下载xià zàigames游戏yóu xì。

Where but不过bú guò goes

but不过bú guò = only, no more than

• Before a number or noun, but不过bú guò can mean "only, merely": he他tābut不过bú guòis是shìa个gechild孩子hái zi。 — "He's only a child."
• The contrast "but" but不过bú guò starts a clause; the "only" but不过bú guò stands before what it limits.

he他tāonly不过bú guòis是shìa个gechild孩子hái zi。

Recap

Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Conjunctions.