How to use 反而 (fǎn'ér) and 却 (què) to express contrast

(fǎn'ér): contrary to expectation / (què): however, but

Comparing "反而 (fǎn'ér)" and " (què)"

HSK 6Adverbs

Rule structure

反而 (fǎn'ér) emphasizes a result opposite to expectation. (què) is a general contrastive adverb ("however, yet"). 反而 (fǎn'ér) is stronger in unexpectedness.

Examples

他努力了,反而失败了。 / 他说帮忙,却没来。

Tā nǔlì le, fǎn'ér shībài le. / Tā shuō bāngmáng, què méi lái.

He tried hard, but contrary to expectations, he failed. / He said he would help, yet he didn’t come.

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Comparing "反而 (fǎn'ér)" and "却 (què)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 反而 (fǎn'ér): contrary to expectation / 却 (què): however, but. For example: 他努力了,反而失败了。 / 他说帮忙,却没来。 — “He tried hard, but contrary to expectations, he failed. / He said he would help, yet he didn’t come.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

他努力了,反而失败了。 / 他说帮忙,却没来。 — “He tried hard, but contrary to expectations, he failed. / He said he would help, yet he didn’t come.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 6.

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