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The "however" adverb 却 ("que4")

却 què

Grammar
HSK 4

Structure

Sentence ，(但是 +) Subj. + 却 ⋯⋯

Translations

  • but
  • however

Definition

却是一个副词，表示转折或出乎意料，相当于“但是”、“可是”。

却 is an adverb indicating a contrast or unexpected outcome, similar to 'however' or 'but'.

Usage

却常用于前后分句之间，表示转折关系。它通常放在主语之后、谓语之前，强调后一分句与前一分句的相反或出乎意料。

却 is often used between clauses to indicate a contrast. It is placed after the subject and before the verb, emphasizing that the following clause contradicts or is unexpected compared to the previous one.

Examples

  • 1 他看起来很年轻，实际上却已经五十多岁了。 (He looks very young, but in fact he is over fifty.)
  • 2 大家都以为他会同意，他却拒绝了。 (Everyone thought he would agree, but he refused.)
  • 3 虽然条件艰苦，他们却坚持完成了任务。 (Despite the harsh conditions, they persisted and completed the task.)
  • 4 她平时很安静，在舞台上却非常活跃。 (She is usually quiet, but on stage she is very energetic.)
  • 5 我提醒了他很多次，他却还是忘了带钥匙。 (I reminded him many times, but he still forgot to bring the keys.)

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