卻 (què) - Yet, but, however & to decline, refuse

卻Tone 4

què ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 卩

情仁

卻 · què

Yet, but, however;

to decline, refuse;

to step back, retreat;

to complete, finish.

Yet, but, howeverto decline, refuseto step back, retreat

Usage highlights

But actuallyTo decline politelyTo retreatTo forgetTo refuse to acceptTo step back

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

  • 接— accept, receive
  • 進— advance, progress
  • 迎— welcome, meet

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He said he would come, but hasn't arrived yet (他卻沒來).
  • I politely declined the invitation (我卻了他的邀請).
  • The army retreated to a defensive position (軍隊卻至防禦位置).
  • The matter has been settled (事情已了卻).

Collocations

  • But actually(卻說)
  • To decline politely(推卻)
  • To retreat(退卻)
  • To forget(忘卻)
  • To refuse to accept(卻之不恭)
  • To step back(卻步)

Idioms

  • It would be disrespectful to decline(卻之不恭)
  • To shrink back in fear(望而卻步)
  • To retreat when seeing difficulties(見難而卻)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a kneeling person being served food, evolving to mean 'to decline' or 'to retreat'.
  • In classical Chinese philosophy, 'retreat' (卻) is sometimes seen as a strategic move rather than cowardice.
  • The character appears in many historical texts describing diplomatic refusals or military withdrawals.

FAQ