却
HSK 4- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Adverb `却` is used to indicate contrast or unexpectedness, often translated as 'instead', 'but', or 'yet'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The adverb 却 expresses contrast or an unexpected result relative to what was previously stated. It is commonly translated as "but," "yet," or "however."
Unlike the conjunction 但是 (but), 却 is an adverb and must be positioned after the subject and before the verb/adjective. It cannot appear at the beginning of the second clause. 却 carries a slightly more literary or formal tone than 但是.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他很努力，成绩却不好。繁: 他很努力，成績卻不好。Tā hěn nǔlì, chéngjì què bù hǎo.
He works very hard, but his grades are not good.
- 那家店看着很近，走起来却很远。繁: 那家店看著很近，走起來卻很遠。Nà jiā diàn kànzhe hěn jìn, zǒu qǐlái què hěn yuǎn.
That shop looks very close, but it's actually very far to walk to.
- 我想说点什么，话到嘴边却忘了。繁: 我想說點什麼，話到嘴邊卻忘了。Wǒ xiǎng shuō diǎn shénme, huà dào zuǐbiān què wàng le.
I want to say something, but the words slip my mind right when they reach my lips.
- 他个子不高，力气却很大。繁: 他個子不高，力氣卻很大。Tā gèzi bù gāo, lìqi què hěn dà.
He is not tall, but he is very strong.
- 外面很冷，屋里却很暖和。繁: 外面很冷，屋裡卻很暖和。Wàimiàn hěn lěng, wū lǐ què hěn nuǎnhuo.
Outside is very cold, but inside the house is very warm.