Difference between revisions of "Expressing "not… but…" with "er shi""

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== Structure ==
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"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.
 
"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.
 
The basic structure:
 
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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An easy way to remember this pattern is that it roughly corresponds to the English, "Something is not X, it's Y".
 
An easy way to remember this pattern is that it roughly corresponds to the English, "Something is not X, it's Y".
  
Here are some more examples to help make this pattern clear.
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== Examples ==
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">

Revision as of 07:56, 21 May 2012

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

  • 不是 一 个 困难, 一 个 机会。
  • 不是 中国人, 美国人。
  • 这 个 大楼 不是 公寓, 办公楼。

See also

Sources and further reading

SOURCES NEEDED