Meanings of 却
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About 却
Podcast: 却
Podcast: 却
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AI Study Notes for 却
但是 (dànshì) vs 却 (què): use 却 when emphasizing an unexpected contrast, while 但是 is more neutral.
Imagine a person taking a step back (the character 却 has a radical associated with movement) when faced with a decision. This person hesitates before moving forward, embodying the idea of contrasting thoughts or actions. The pronunciation 'què' sounds like 'quit', which can remind you of someone who hesitates to continue.
Common mistakes include using 却 in place of 'and' or 'also', as it specifically implies contrast. It is mostly used in informal contexts, but can also appear in formal writing. Be cautious with intonation; saying it too softly can alter the meaning.
As an HSK Level 4 word, 却 connects well with other conjunctions and transitional phrases. Focus on its usage with other contrastive words like 但是 (dànshì) and 然而 (rán'ér) to enhance your fluency in expressing nuanced opinions.
In Chinese culture, the concept of contrast is often highlighted in discussions, reflecting a balance of perspectives. The word 却 can illustrate the importance of weighing different sides of an argument in conversations, particularly in formal settings.
Learners often confuse 却 with 但是, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我想去，但却下雨了' is incorrect; use '但是' instead. Correct usage would be '我想去，却下雨了', emphasizing the unexpected nature of the rain.
Pronunciation of 却
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Etymology of 却
Phonosemantic compound. 卩 represents the meaning and 去 represents the sound. Simplified form of 卻.
seal
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 却?
Decomposition of 却
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 却?
Write 却
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Practice writing 却 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 却
却 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 13 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
我来了，他____没来。
I came, but he did not.
Common Confusions with 却
Similar sound but different meaning.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "but"?
Example Sentences for 却 (10)
Cultural Notes for 却
In traditional Chinese philosophy, contrasts are often used to illustrate deeper truths, much like how '却' functions in language. This reflects the duality present in nature, such as yin and yang.
In Chinese culture, the concept of contrast is often highlighted in discussions, reflecting a balance of perspectives. The word 却 can illustrate the importance of weighing different sides of an argument in conversations, particularly in formal settings.
Word Family of 却
Compound Meaning
What does 脚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 却
Yes, while both 却 (què) and 但是 (dànshì) can be used to indicate contrast, 却 often implies a more unexpected twist compared to 但是. For instance, you might say '我想去，然而却没时间' ('I want to go, yet I don't have time') which emphasizes the contrast more strongly than simply using 但是.