Expressing "not… but…" with "er shi"

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

• "Not… But Rather…" with "er shi"
• "On the Contrary" with "fan'er"

Sources and further reading

SOURCES NEEDED

HSK4