Meanings of 卻
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About 卻
Podcast: 卻
Podcast: 卻
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AI Study Notes for 卻
但 (dàn) vs 卻 (què): use 卻 when emphasizing an unexpected contrast or reversal, while 但 is more straightforward for introducing a contrast.
Be careful not to confuse 卻 (què) with 但是 (dànshì), which means 'but' in a more straightforward way. 卻 is often used in literary or formal contexts, so it may sound overly formal in casual conversation. It often collocates with words expressing contrast.
Though 卻 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be a useful word for learners at HSK 4 and above when discussing contrasting ideas or expressing nuanced opinions. Focus on its usage in sentences to understand its role in expressing contrast.
Learners often misuse 卻 (què) by placing it in contexts where simpler conjunctions like 但是 (dànshì) would suffice. For example, saying '我想去，却下雨了' is correct, but saying '我很累，却我想去' is incorrect; it should be '但是我想去'.
Pronunciation of 卻
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Etymology of 卻
Phonosemantic compound. 卩 represents the meaning and 去 represents the sound. Simplified form of 卻.
seal
Origin
卻 = 卩 + 谷. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 卻
Parts
Which of these is part of 卻?
How to say still, but; decline; retreat in Chinese
“still, but; decline; retreat” in Chinese is卻
却 (què) is a conjunction and verb that conveys the meaning of 'still' or 'but,' often used to show contrast or an unexpected turn in a situation. It can also mean 'to decline' or 'to retreat,' indicating a reversal or a step back from a previous position.
When to use 卻
Be careful not to confuse 卻 (què) with 但是 (dànshì), which means 'but' in a more straightforward way. 卻 is often used in literary or formal contexts, so it may sound overly formal in casual conversation. It often collocates with words expressing contrast.
卻 or something close to it
但 (dàn) vs 卻 (què): use 卻 when emphasizing an unexpected contrast or reversal, while 但 is more straightforward for introducing a contrast.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 卻 (què) by placing it in contexts where simpler conjunctions like 但是 (dànshì) would suffice. For example, saying '我想去，却下雨了' is correct, but saying '我很累，却我想去' is incorrect; it should be '但是我想去'.
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Word Family of 卻
Characters with 卻
What does 却 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 卻
Yes, but be mindful that it may sound formal; in everyday speech, you might prefer simpler words like 但是.
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