Grammar Point:
却 què is an adverb in Chinese that is commonly used to indicate a contrast between two statements. Although it is similar in meaning to the English conjunction “but” or “however”, it is not usually used to link two sentences.
Structure
Sentence ,(但是 +) S2 + 卻/却
When using 却 què, the first clause of the sentence expresses an expectation or assumption, while the second clause presents information that contradicts or contrasts with the first clause. When the subject of the first and second clauses is the same, it is common to drop the subject of the second clause.
她每天去夜店跟派對瘋,但是功課卻很好她每天去夜店跟派对疯,但是功课却很好
She goes wild to nightclubs and parties every day, but her schoolwork is excellent.
我又是運動又是節食,但是今天量體重卻胖了我又是运动又是节食,但是今天量体重却胖了
I exercise and diet, but I gained weight when I weighed myself today.
你學了那麽久的中文,卻一句話也說不出來嗎?你学了那麽久的中文,却一句话也说不出来吗?
You have studied Chinese for so long, but you can’t say a single sentence?
你的衣服雖然是名牌,但是看起來卻很廉價你的衣服虽然是名牌,但是看起来却很廉价
Your clothes are designer brands, but they look cheap.
搞什麼!今天不用上課,可是卻沒有人通知我!搞什么!今天不用上课,可是却没有人通知我!
What the hack? No class today, but no one told me!
FYI
搞什么 gǎo shénme is a common slang phrase in Chinese, which can be translated to “What the hack?” in English. It is an informal expression often used in casual conversations among friends or peers. The phrase 搞 gǎo literally means “to do” or “to make”, and 什么 shénme means “what”. It’s a great way to show your surprise or confusion in a lighthearted and playful way, especially when you’re chatting with your friends or peers. So, next time you want to spice up your conversations with some cool Chinese slang, don’t forget to use “搞什么“!
她住在台灣5年了,卻一句中文也不會她住在台湾5年了,却一句中文也不会
She has lived in Taiwan for 5 years, but she can’t even speak a word of Chinese.
Common Mistakes
Remember that 却 què is not a conjunction, so it should not be placed before the subject.
我很愛我的貓,卻我的貓不愛我我很爱我的猫,却我的猫不爱我 ❌
I love my cat, but my cat doesn’t love me.
我很愛我的貓,我的貓卻不愛我我很爱我的猫,我的猫却不爱我 ✅
I love my cat, but my cat doesn’t love me.
Practice
TouchHover over the space to see the answers.
✔️She eats a lot but does not gain weight. I envy her so much.
她吃很多卻不會胖,好羨慕她吃很多却不会胖,好羡慕
✔️ You’re an American, but your Chinese has no accent at all. That’s amazing!
你是美國人,可是你的中文卻沒有任何口音,太厲害了!你是美国人,可是你的中文却没有任何口音,太厉害了!
✔️ We agreed to have dinner together today, but he didn’t show up.
說好今天一起吃飯的,他卻沒出現说好今天一起吃饭的,他却没出现