却: Unexpected Contrast in Chinese
却
却 is a contrast adverb placed inside the second clause, after its subject and before its predicate. It marks a result or attitude that conflicts with an expectation created by the first clause. It may appear with 虽然, 可是, or 而, but it is not itself a clause-initial conjunction.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Clause 1, (Subject) + 却 + Predicate
Read the structure
却 is a contrast adverb placed inside the second clause, after its subject and before its predicate. It marks a result or attitude that conflicts with an expectation created by the first clause. It may appear with 虽然, 可是, or 而, but it is not itself a clause-initial conjunction. Keep the model Clause 1, (Subject) + 却 + Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
他很有钱，我却不羡慕他。
He is rich, yet I do not envy him.
Choose the right context
Mark an unexpected second fact: 他很有钱，我却不羡慕。 Strengthen the second half of a 虽然 contrast. Contrast two subjects while keeping 却 before the second predicate.
虽然下雨，她却没带伞。
Although it was raining, she did not bring an umbrella.
Respect the boundary
Do not put 却 before the second-clause subject. Do not use 却 merely to join neutral alternatives. Do not place 却 after the completed predicate.
他很有钱，却我不羡慕他。
(He is rich, yet I do not envy him.)
Repair the pattern
却 is placed before the subject: As an adverb, 却 follows the subject of its clause and precedes the predicate. 却 is stranded after the predicate: 却 must modify the following predicate; it cannot function as a sentence-final particle.
他很有钱，我却不羡慕他。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
他很有钱，我却不羡慕他。
He is rich, yet I do not envy him.
他
Clause 1, (Subject)
This part occupies the Clause 1, (Subject) position in the model pattern.
很有
却
This part occupies the 却 position in the model pattern.
钱
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
，
Clause 1, (Subject)
This part occupies the Clause 1, (Subject) position in the model pattern.
我
却
This part occupies the 却 position in the model pattern.
却
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
不
Clause 1, (Subject)
This part occupies the Clause 1, (Subject) position in the model pattern.
羡慕
却
This part occupies the 却 position in the model pattern.
他
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
他很有钱，我却不羡慕他。
He is rich, yet I do not envy him.
虽然下雨，她却没带伞。
Although it was raining, she did not bring an umbrella.
我想帮忙，他却拒绝了。
I wanted to help, but he refused.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Mark an unexpected second fact: 他很有钱，我却不羡慕。
- Strengthen the second half of a 虽然 contrast.
- Contrast two subjects while keeping 却 before the second predicate.
Do not use it when
- Do not put 却 before the second-clause subject.
- Do not use 却 merely to join neutral alternatives.
- Do not place 却 after the completed predicate.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
他很有钱，却我不羡慕他。
他很有钱，我却不羡慕他。
却 is placed before the subject
As an adverb, 却 follows the subject of its clause and precedes the predicate.
她没带伞却。
她却没带伞。
却 is stranded after the predicate
却 must modify the following predicate; it cannot function as a sentence-final particle.
他很有钱，却我不羡慕他。
As an adverb, 却 follows the subject of its clause and precedes the predicate.
她没带伞却。
却 must modify the following predicate; it cannot function as a sentence-final particle.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 却.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 却. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
却: Unexpected Contrast Questions
Can 却 be used without 虽然?
Yes. The earlier context can establish the expectation that 却 overturns.
Where does 却 go when the subjects differ?
Put the second subject first, then 却, then its predicate: 我想去，他却不想去。
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, Level 4 item 【四09】, 关联副词：却 (printed p. 206)
Supports placement in HSK 4; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 41, §41.3.1, contrast adverbs in the second conjunct
States that 却 occurs after the subject and before the predicate in the second contrasting clause.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Compare
本来本来: Original Situation or Plan
Compare this lesson with 本来 establishing an original state or expectation; both belong to expectation, contrast, and unexpected development, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
Compare
按说按说: What Should Normally Be Expected
Compare this lesson with 按说 introducing what should follow from available grounds; both belong to expectation, contrast, and unexpected development, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
Compare
不料不料: Unexpectedly
Compare this lesson with 不料 introducing an outcome the speaker did not anticipate; both belong to expectation, contrast, and unexpected development, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
Continue learning
虽然…但是虽然...但是 (Although... But)
Continue with the reviewed follow-up lesson to apply this pattern inside a broader, explicitly connected grammar construction.
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Continue learning
Continue with the reviewed follow-up lesson to apply this pattern inside a broader, explicitly connected grammar construction.