The "however" adverb "que"

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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 , 没 邀请 我 。Put 却 AFTER the subject.Wǒ shì nǐ zuì hǎo de péngyou, què méi yāoqǐng wǒ.
  • 我 是 你 最好 的 朋友 , 没 邀请 我 。This is correct.Wǒ shì nǐ zuì hǎo de péngyou, què méi yāoqǐng wǒ.
  • 我 是 你 最好 的 朋友 ,但是 没 邀请 我 。但是 is optional.Wǒ shì nǐ zuì hǎo de péngyou, dànshìquè méi yāoqǐng wǒ.I'm your best friend, but you didn't invite me.
  • 他 家 很 有钱 , 从来 不 炫耀 。Put 却 AFTER the subject.Tā jiā hěn yǒuqián, què cónglái bù xuànyào.
  • 他 家 很 有钱 , 从来 不 炫耀 。This is correct.Tā jiā hěn yǒuqián, què cónglái bù xuànyào.
  • 他 家 很 有钱 ,但是 从来 不 炫耀 。但是 is optional.Tā jiā hěn yǒu qián, dànshìquè 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 , 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 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 , 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 不 怎么样 。Zhè jiàn yīfú 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 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, 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

Sources and further reading

Books