Chinese word

却是

Pronunciation

Pinyinquè shì

Meaning

  • adverbactually

Example

他说不想参加，却是家里有事。tā shuō bù xiǎng cān jiā què shì jiā lǐ yǒu shì

He said he didn't want to join in, but actually he had something to do at home.

Illustration for 却是 (actually)

More examples

很多人以为他成功了，却是恰恰相反，他正面临困难。hěn duō rén yǐ wéi tā chéng gōng le què shì qià qià xiāng fǎn tā zhèng miàn lín kùn nán

Many people think he has succeeded, but actually the opposite is true: he is facing difficulties.

Core concept

An earlier surface explanation is set aside so the real fact can be added.

Common phrases

  • 却是另有原因què shì lìng yǒu yuán yīn

    actually for another reason

  • 却是恰恰相反què shì qià qià xiāng fǎn

    actually the exact opposite

Similar words

实际上shí jì shàng: Emphasizes the real facts or conditions behind an appearance or belief.
其实qí shí: Clarifies the actual situation or inner feeling that has not been stated directly.
倒是dào shì: Highlights a surprising side of the matter or a point that goes the other way.
反而fǎn ér: Marks an outcome that develops in the opposite direction from the usual expectation.

Definition in Chinese

作副词，表示把表面说法或推测对照为真实情况以示强调或澄清，语体可书面亦可口语，多用于补充原因或真相。zuò fù cí biǎo shì bǎ biǎo miàn shuō fǎ huò tuī cè duì zhào wèi zhēn shí qíng kuàng yǐ shì qiáng diào huò chéng qīng yú tǐ kě shū miàn yì kě kóu yǔ duō yòng yú bǔ chōng yuán yīn huò zhēn xiàng

Word origin

The phrase joins 却 (què, "turn back") and 是 (shì, "be") to turn away from an earlier view and point to the fact that follows.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, it often comes after a short first statement and opens the reason or fact that makes that statement clear, so the following words carry the speaker's main point.

Word lists with this word