When studying Mandarin grammar, one subtle but powerful character you must master is 却 (què). This adverb introduces contrast—highlighting something unexpected, often contrary to a listener’s assumptions. While it may be easy to confuse with conjunctions like 但 or 但是, 却 has its unique rules, tone, and position in sentences. In this article, you’ll gain complete clarity on the 却 meaning, usage rules, and how it compares to other contrastive terms in Chinese. We’ll also provide structured examples and exercises so you can use it confidently in daily speech and writing.

I. What Does 却 Mean in Chinese?
II. Vocabulary Containing 却
III. How to Use 却 in Sentences
IV. Difference Between 却 and 但
1. 1. Overview of 但 / 但是
2. 2. Comparison Table: 却 vs 但
V. Exercises with 却

却 in Chinese: How to Use It for Contrast in Real Sentences

I. What Does 却 Mean in Chinese?

The character 却 is an adverb that expresses contrast, reversal, or a surprising outcome. It is typically translated into English as “yet,” “however,” or “nevertheless.” It always modifies the verb phrase that follows and must appear after the subject of the sentence to remain grammatically accurate.

Let’s look at some basic examples to understand the contrastive nature of 却:

他很累，却不能休息。
Tā hěn lèi, què bù néng xiūxí.
→ He is very tired, yet he can’t rest.

You’ll notice here that “却” adds an opposing idea that counters the expectation created in the first clause. This pattern is key to using 却 in Chinese effectively.

II. Vocabulary Containing 却

Beyond its function as a standalone adverb, 却 also appears in several compound words that reinforce the theme of rejection, turning away, or contrast.

No.	Chinese Word/Phrase with 却	Pinyin	Meaning
1	省却	shěngquè	to eliminate; to do away with
2	忘却	wàngquè	to forget; to lose memory of
3	失却	shīquè	to lose (an abstract thing, e.g. chance, support)
4	却婚	què hūn	to refuse a marriage offer
5	辞却	cí què	to decline politely; to refuse
6	推却	tuī què	to decline; to reject (politely or formally)
7	却说	quèshuō	"And now speaking of..." (used in classical storytelling)
8	冷却	lěngquè	to cool down; cooling (technical or physical process)
9	却是	què shì	in fact; actually
10	却病	quèbìng	to cure or eliminate illness

Each of these vocabulary items shares a mental image of pulling back or resisting what might otherwise be expected or assumed. Understanding these will also improve your grasp of que in Chinese word formation.

III. How to Use 却 in Sentences

Usage of 却	Examples
Used as an adverb to express contrast or reversal. It comes after the subject and means “on the contrary,” “yet,” or “but instead.”	我有许多话要说，一时却说不出来。/Wǒ yǒu xǔduō huà yào shuō, yīshí què shuō bù chūlái/: I have many things to say, yet I couldn’t speak at that moment. 后来我们什么都有，却没有了我们. /Hòulái wǒmen shénme dōu yǒu, què méiyǒu le wǒmen/: Later, we had everything, yet we didn’t have “us.” 文章虽短，却很有力。/Wénzhāng suī duǎn, què hěn yǒulì/: The article is short, but very powerful.
May co-occur with contrast conjunctions like “但是” (dànshì) or “可是” (kěshì) for emphasis. In such cases, 却 strengthens the sense of unexpectedness.	这篇课文字数不多，但意思却很深. /Zhè piān kèwén zìshù bù duō, dàn yìsi què hěn shēn/: This lesson text isn’t long, but its meaning is deep. 这个女孩才20岁，可是却结了婚。/Zhège nǚhái cái 20 suì, kěshì què jiéle hūn/: This girl is only 20, yet she’s already married.

This distinction often becomes a key focus in grammar exercises to reinforce correct positioning. If you're focusing on 却 grammar, this rule is essential.

IV. Difference Between 却 and 但

If you’ve studied contrast patterns in Chinese, you’re likely familiar with 但 (dàn) and 但是 (dànshì)—conjunctions also meaning “but.” So how do they differ from 却?

1. Overview of 但 / 但是

Both 但 and 但是 function as conjunctions. You can use them at the beginning of a clause to introduce contrast, and they don’t need a subject beforehand.

Example:

我很想去，但没有时间。
→ I really want to go, but I don’t have time.

Alternative soft contrasts also include:

不过 (búguò) – “however” / “but”

These conjunctions work flexibly and often partner with adverbs—including 却—for emphasis.

2. Comparison Table: 却 vs 但

	Usage of 却	Usage of 但
Usage	Indicates a relationship of contrast or comparison, with more emphasis on subjective evaluation and the speaker’s tone or attitude.	Indicates a turning point or contrast in the sentence, focusing on objective narration without emphasizing the speaker’s tone.
Example	小王对你那么好，你却这样对待他。/Xiǎowáng duì nǐ nàme hǎo, nǐ què zhèyàng duìdài tā./: Xiao Wang treats you so well, yet you treat him like this.	你可以回来，但你不能告诉他。/Nǐ kěyǐ huílái, dàn nǐ bùnéng gàosù tā./: You may come back, but you can’t tell him.
Notes	If the sentence simply shows a neutral contrast without implying comparison or evaluation, only 但 should be used, not 却. Example: 你考了上大学，但也不能骄傲啊。/Nǐ kǎo le shàng dàxué, dàn yě bùnéng jiāo'ào a./: You've gotten into college, but you still shouldn't be arrogant.
Notes	If the sentence expresses both a contrast and subjective feeling or comparison, both 但 and 却 can appear together. Example: 小明有很多话要说，但(却)一时说不上来。/Xiǎomíng yǒu hěnduō huà yào shuō, dàn (què) yīshí shuōbushàng lái./: Xiao Ming had a lot to say, but (yet) couldn't say anything at that moment.

In short: If you want to highlight contrast with a stronger emotional or logical shift, use 却. But if you want a general “but,” 但 or 但是 is acceptable.

Think of it this way: 但 is grammar glue, 却 is meaning spice.

V. Exercises with 却

Ready to test your understanding of how to use 却 in Chinese correctly? Here are some direct practice tasks designed to build grammar fluency and deepen practical usage.

1. 尽管他们很努力了，___。(Jǐnɡuǎn tāmen hěn nǔlì le, ___.)

结果却不太好(jiéguǒ què bú tài hǎo )
却结果不太好(què jiéguǒ bú tài hǎo)
结果但却不太好(jiéguǒ dàn què bú tài hǎo)
但是却结果不太好(dànshì què jiéguǒ bú tài hǎo)

2. 明明是他吃了，___。(Míngmíng shì tā chī le，___.)

却他反倒不承认(què tā fǎndào bù chéngrèn)
他却但是不承认(tā què dànshì bù chéngrèn)
他却反倒不承认(tā què fǎndào bù chéngrèn)
却反倒他不承认(què fǎndào tā bù chéngrèn)

3. 虽然他已经吃了午饭， ___。(Suīrán tā yǐjīng chīle wǔfàn, ___.)

现在饿了(xiànzài è le)
现在却饿了(xiànzài què è le)
现在却他饿了(xiànzài què tā è le)
现在他饿却了(xiànzài tā è què le)

4. 她选了好久的衣服，___。(Tā xuǎn le háojiǔ de yīfu，___.)

最后偏偏却选了我喜欢的(zuìhòu piānpiān què xuǎnle wǒ xǐhuan de)
最后却偏偏选了我喜欢的(zuìhòu què piānpiān xuǎnle wǒ xǐhuan de)
最后却选了偏偏我喜欢的(zuìhòu què xuǎnle piānpiān wǒ xǐhuan de)
最后偏偏选了却我喜欢的(zuìhòu piānpiān xuǎnle què wǒ xǐhuan de)

5. 他起得最晚，___。(Tā qǐde zuì wǎn，___.)

他反而却最晚到这里(tā fǎn'ér què zuì wǎn dào zhèlǐ)
反而他却最晚到这里(fǎn'ér tā què zuì wǎn dào zhèlǐ)
反而他却最早到这里(fǎn'ér tā què zuì zǎo dào zhèlǐ)
却他反而最早到这里(què tā fǎn'ér zuì zǎo dào zhèlǐ)

Answer: 1. A - 2. C - 3. B - 4. B - 5. C

Tip: After you complete the exercises, read each sentence out loud. This will reinforce the tone and placement of 却 in natural speech.

Understanding 却 in Chinese creates opportunities for deeper expression, especially when discussing emotions, setbacks, and nuanced situations. It's more than a grammatical marker—it’s a tool to express ideas with surprise, subtlety, and elegance. By learning the differences between 却 vs 但是, and by practicing its correct placement, you’ll increase your fluency and communicate with precision.

Whether you're preparing for HSK exams, writing essays, or simply trying to elevate your daily conversation, mastering 却 adds finesse to your Mandarin. Review this article regularly and return to the example patterns to refine your skills.