但是 (dànshì) vs 然而 (rán'ér) — use 却是 to emphasize an unexpected truth, while 但是 introduces a contrast without this nuance.

Imagine a person who is trying to convince others that a certain food is bad. They take a bite and say, '却是 delicious!' The character 却 (que) looks like a person stepping back, while 是 (shi) means 'is'—together they convey the idea of stepping back to reconsider what is actually true.

Be mindful of the context in which you use 却是, as it can imply a contradiction to a previously stated opinion. It is generally used in a more informal context, but can also appear in written forms. A common collocation is '却是这样' (it is actually this way).

Though 却是 is not an HSK vocabulary word, its components can help learners understand similar expressions. Students should focus on recognizing contrasting phrases at HSK 4 and above, as this will help in constructing arguments or discussions.

In Chinese conversations, using 却是 can reflect the cultural tendency to be indirect or to avoid outright disagreement, allowing for a softer approach to expressing contrasting views.

Learners often confuse 却是 with just 是, using it in contexts where no contrast exists, such as saying '这却是好' instead of '这很好' (this is good). Remember, 却是 requires a contrasting context.