却 (què) - but, yet, however & to decline, to retreat, to step back

却Tone 4

què ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 卩

情仁

却 · què

but, yet, however;

to decline, to retreat, to step back;

used to indicate completion of an action.

but, yet, howeverto decline, to retreat, to step backused to indicate completion of an action.

Usage highlights

buthoweverto retreatto declineto forgetcool and refreshing

Synonyms

  • 但— but, however
  • 退— to retreat, to withdraw
  • 拒— to refuse, to reject

Antonyms

  • 进— to advance, to move forward
  • 接— to accept, to receive

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He said he would come, but didn't (他却没来).
  • I've already finished eating (我却吃完了).
  • She wanted to go but couldn't (她想去却不能去).

Collocations

  • but(但是...却)
  • however(然而...却)
  • to retreat(退却)
  • to decline(推却)
  • to forget(忘却)
  • cool and refreshing(冷却)

Idioms

  • To refuse would be disrespectful(却之不恭)
  • To retreat in the face of difficulties(望而却步)
  • To forget favors and betray justice(忘恩却义)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant 'to retreat' or 'to step back', derived from the radical 卩 which represents a kneeling figure.
  • Used in classical Chinese to indicate completion of an action, similar to modern 了.
  • Commonly appears in contrastive constructions in modern Chinese to express unexpected outcomes.

FAQ