The "however" adverb "que"

却 (què) is used to indicate something was contrary to expectations, and is used in a similar way to 倒 (dào). However, 却 is generally followed by a negative comment.

Structure

The overall structure of sentences that use 却 is something like this:

Sentence ，(但是 +) Subj. + 却 ⋯⋯

Normally the first clause above makes a statement, and then the second clause introduces something contrary, generally in the form of a negative comment.

Common Mistake: Putting 却 Before the Subject

It's also important to point out that 却 is not a conjunction; it's an adverb. Practically speaking, this means that rather than joining two statements, it goes inside a statement (within the second clause). Specifically, it needs to come after the subject and before the verb. (Note that when you use a conjunction like 但是 it comes before the subject! 却 is different in this respect. Also, rather than replacing 但是, it can work with it to add emphasis.)

Sometimes the subject of the second clause will be omitted. If there is a subject, however, 却 definitely needs to come after it.

A few examples to give you a better understanding of this:

• 我 是 你 最好 的 朋友 ，却 你 没 邀请 我 。Put 却 AFTER the subject.Wǒ shì nǐ zuì hǎo de péngyou, què nǐ méi yāoqǐng wǒ.
• 我 是 你 最好 的 朋友 ，你 却 没 邀请 我 。This is correct.Wǒ shì nǐ zuì hǎo de péngyou, nǐ què méi yāoqǐng wǒ.
• 我 是 你 最好 的 朋友 ，但是 你 却 没 邀请 我 。但是 is optional.Wǒ shì nǐ zuì hǎo de péngyou, dànshì nǐ què méi yāoqǐng wǒ.I'm your best friend, but you didn't invite me.

• 他 家 很 有钱 ，却 他 从来 不 炫耀 。Put 却 AFTER the subject.Tā jiā hěn yǒuqián, què tā cónglái bù xuànyào.
• 他 家 很 有钱 ，他 却 从来 不 炫耀 。This is correct.Tā jiā hěn yǒuqián, tā què cónglái bù xuànyào.
• 他 家 很 有钱 ，但是 他 却 从来 不 炫耀 。但是 is optional.Tā jiā hěn yǒu qián, dànshì tā què cónglái bù xuànyào.His family is rich, but he never flaunts it.

Examples

In the following examples, take note that 却 comes after the subject in each case, and that it can be used together with 但是.

• 他 是 老板 ，却 没有 人 听 他 的 。Tā shì lǎobǎn, què méiyǒu rén tīng tā de.He's the boss, but nobody listens to him.
• 他 的 学历 很 高 ，能力 却 很 一般 。Tā de xuélì hěn gāo, nénglì què hěn yībān.He's very well-educated, but his ability is average.
• 他们 一见钟情 ， 却 没有 在 一起 。Tāmen yījiànzhōngqíng, què méiyǒu zài yīqǐ.They fell in love at first sight, but they didn't end up with each other.
• 这 件 衣服 虽然 是 名牌 ，但是 质量 却 不 怎么样 。Zhè jiàn yīfu suīrán shì míngpái, dànshì zhìliàng què bù zěnme yàng.Although this clothing is brand-name, the quality is not so good.
• 有些 人 智商 很 高 ，情商 却 很 低 。Yǒuxiē rén zhìshāng hěn gāo, qíngshāng què hěn dī.Some people have high IQ, but really low EQ.
• 他 只有 16 岁，却 比 同龄人 成熟 得 多 。Tā zhǐyǒu 16 suì, què bǐ tónglíng rén chéngshú de duō.He's only sixteen, but he's much more mature than others his age.

See also

• Expressing Contrariness with "dao"
• "On the Contrary" with "fan'er"
• A Softer "But"

Sources and further reading

Books

• HSK Standard Course 4上 (pp. 22) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) (pp. 140-2) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 184) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy

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