About
The character "却" evolved from its traditional form "卻", which is structurally composed of "谷" and "卩", where "卩" represents a kneeling figure often linked to action, and "谷" may have provided phonetic or semantic elements related to the original meaning of stepping back or refusing. In the simplified form "却", the component "谷" is replaced by "去", shifting the graphical composition while the element "卩" remains, reflecting a structural adaptation that still aligns with notions of action or change. Initially used as a verb denoting retreat or rejection, its semantic range broadened over centuries to serve as an adverb indicating contrast or opposition, such as "but" or "yet", in contemporary usage.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我很累，却睡不着。
他明明知道，却不说。
天气很热，我却觉得冷。
她虽然年轻，却很有经验。
我努力学习了，成绩却不好。
他嘴上答应得快，行动却总是拖延。
这本书看起来很难，读起来却很有趣。
尽管面临诸多挑战，他却从未放弃自己的梦想。