却

[Strawberries513]

Can someone please explain 却 to me? It seems like it has alot of meanings and I have NO IDEA how or when to use it (I dont mean in compound words I mean by itself) . Could I at least get some simple example sentences please? Thanks

-CaoMei

[skylee]

Take a look -> http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/cgi-bin/agrep-lindict?query=%ab%6f&category=wholerecord

I would say the major usages are -

Adv.

(1) (Preceding vb.) yet: 他先提議的，卻沒來 he was the first to propose it, yet does not come;

often has the force of “but” “yet”combined, suggesting “on the other hand”: 他卻反咬你一口 on the other hand he makes a countercharge (“bites back”);

你贊成，我卻反對 you approve, but I don't;

卻不見回音 but yet there is no reply;

卻又來 not this again!

(2) Emphasizing an affirmative or negative declaration like German doch: 原來卻是他 it is he after all;

事情卻不容易 the thing is really not so simple.

Conj.

However, but, on the other hand: 卻不料 however, to one's surprise;

卻不知 however, one does not know;

卻不提防 to one's surprise;

卻不道 to one's surprise, also is it not as the proverb says (you cannot put two saddles on one horse, etc.).

(1) V.t., to reject: 拒卻，謝卻 to reject (invitation, offer);

卻情 decline a favor;

卻之不恭 “it would be disrespectful to decline”--formula for accepting;

推卻 to delay, shirk (responsibility);

卻死 (AC) afraid of death (“shun death”);

卻老 (AC) rejuvenation (“delay old age”);

卻病延年 banish illness and increase long life.

(2) V.i., to step backward: 卻立，卻步 [qUe4li4], [qUe4bu4]