HSK 4
关联副词：却
guān lián fù cí ： què
Linking adverb: 却 (què) - but, however
Explanation
却 (què) is an adverb (a word that modifies a verb or adjective) with a linking function, used to connect two contrasting clauses, emphasizing a contrast or something unexpected; its meaning is close to "but on the contrary", "and yet" in Vietnamese.
clause 1, + subject (the person/thing performing, at the head of the clause) + 却 (què) + verb/adjective. Unlike Vietnamese "nhưng" (but), 却 does NOT stand at the head of the clause but comes AFTER the subject and BEFORE the verb: 他却没来 (he, on the contrary, did not come).
when the result in the second clause is contrary to what the listener expects from the first clause, expressing surprise or mild dissatisfaction.
但是 (dànshì, but) stands at the HEAD of the second clause and can stand independently; 却 must stand AFTER the subject, right before the verb. You can use both together: 虽然...，但是...却...
Vietnamese learners often place 却 at the head of the clause like "nhưng" (writing the wrong 却他没来); the correct form is 他却没来 — subject first, 却 after.
Examples
I came, but he, on the contrary, did not.
All the classmates went out for activities, yet he just sat there in the classroom without moving.
Practice
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Learn “关联副词：却” effectively
The grammar point “关联副词：却” (Linking adverb: 却 (què) - but, however) is one of the key structures at HSK 4. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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