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

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== Structure ==
 
== Structure ==
  
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[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
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{{Similar|"On the Contrary" with "fan'er"}}
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{{Similar|"Not… But Rather…" with "er shi"}}
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{{Basic Grammar|不是|B1|不是… 是…|<em>不 是</em> 问题,<em>是</em> 机会。|grammar point|ASGT9WYR}}
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{{Rel char|是}}

Revision as of 07:56, 13 June 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

HSK4