Difference between revisions of "Expressing "not… but…" with "er shi""
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* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1]] (p. 277) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276792/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276792 →buy] | * [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1]] (p. 277) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276792/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276792 →buy] | ||
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[[Category:B1 grammar points]] | [[Category:B1 grammar points]] | ||
Revision as of 02:05, 27 August 2013
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Used for
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Keywords
Sometimes you want to explain that an object, concept, or event isn't one thing, but in fact a different thing. This is the perfect structure to convey that in Chinese.
Structure
"不是..., (就)是..." (búshì..., (jiù)shì...) is used to clarify something about a certain noun. What's being clarified can range from adjectives, verbs and even noun phrases.
Subject + 不是 + Adjective/Noun/Verb #1 + 是 + Adjective/Noun/Verb #2
An easy way to remember this pattern is that it roughly corresponds to the English, "Something is not X, it's Y".
Examples
- 那 不是 一 个 困难，是 一 个 机会。That isn't a difficulty, it's an opportunity.
- 他 不是 中国人，是 美国人。He isn't Chinese, he's American.
- 这 个 大楼 不是 公寓，是 办公楼。This building isn't an apartment building, it's an office building.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (p. 277) →buy
