What does 却 mean in Chinese?

却 (què) means "but; yet; however; while; to go back; to decline; to retreat; nevertheless; even though" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.

How do you pronounce 却?

却 is pronounced "què" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 却?

却 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 却?

Common words with 却 include 却是 (nevertheless), 了却 (to resolve), 冷却 (to cool off), 却倒 (but on the contrary), 却才 (just now).

How do you write 却?

You can practice writing 却 using our stroke order tool.

却 (què), but

却

què

but; yet; however; while

HSK 4verb

Traditional: 卻

Character Breakdown

Radical: 卩 (no. 26)Traditional: 卻

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) but
yet
however
while
to go back
to decline
to retreat
nevertheless
even though

Example Sentences

很贵，却值得买。

Hěn guì, què zhíde mǎi

It's expensive, but worth buying

Words Containing 却

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
却是	què shì	nevertheless
了却	liǎo què	to resolve
冷却	lěng què	to cool off	HSK 7-9
却倒	què dào	but on the contrary
却才	què cái	just now

Related Words

卷土重来(juǎn tǔ chóng lái)· lit. to return in a swirl of dust (idiom)

→

不怕(bù pà)· fearless

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 4
HSK 2.0: HSK 4
HSK Lord study list: HSK 4 list

却: HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 却 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 4 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.