Difference between revisions of "Expressing "not… but…" with "er shi""
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| − | *那 <em>不是</em> 一 个 困难，<em>是</em> 一 个 机会。 | + | *那 <em>不是</em> 一 个 困难，<em>是</em> 一 个 机会。<span class="trans">That isn't a difficulty, it's an opportunity.</span> |
| − | *他 <em>不是</em> 中国人，<em>是</em> 美国人。 | + | *他 <em>不是</em> 中国人，<em>是</em> 美国人。<span class="trans">He isn't Chinese, he's American.</span> |
| − | *这 个 大楼 <em>不是</em> 公寓，<em>是</em> 办公楼。 | + | *这 个 大楼 <em>不是</em> 公寓，<em>是</em> 办公楼。<span class="trans">This building isn't an apartment building, it's an office building.</span> |
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Revision as of 10:00, 4 June 2013
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
Structure
"不是..., 是..." (búshì..., 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
SOURCES NEEDED
