  We study the $Z_{cs}(3985)$ state recently observed by the BESIII
Collaboration in the one-boson-exchange model, assuming that it is a
$\bar{D}_s^{(*)}D^{(*)}$ molecule, which has the quark content
$c\bar{c}s\bar{q}$ with $q = u$, $d$. It is shown that the one-boson-exchange
potential is too weak to generate dynamcally $\bar{D}_s D$, $\bar{D}^*_s D$,
and $\bar{D}_sD^*$ states, while for the case of $\bar{D}^*_s D^*$, very
loosely bound states are likely, with binding energies of the order of several
MeV. We conclude that, the observed $Z_{cs}(3985)$ state, if confirmed by
further experiments, cannot be a pure hadronic molecular state of $\bar{D}_s
D^*$ and $\bar{D}_s^*D$ and could consist of large components of compact
nature.
