HSK · Level 6
133 words
Chinese word
既
Pronunciation
Pinyinjì
Meaning
- adverbboth
Example
既是丈夫，又是父亲，他很忙。jì shì zhàng fū yòu shì fù qīn tā hěn máng
He is both a husband and a father, and he is very busy.
More examples
既想帮助别人，又不想打扰他们。jì xiǎng bāng zhù bié rén yòu bù xiǎng dá rǎo tā men
He both wants to help others and does not want to disturb them.
Core concept
Two facts or qualities are held true together, with the first linked to the second.
Common phrases
既...又...jì yòu
both ___ and ___
Similar words
又yòu: Adds another fact, action, or quality to one already stated, often meaning also.
也yě: Shows that the same fact or quality applies to another person or thing.
同时tóng shí: Shows that two or more events happen at the same time.
已经yǐ jīng: Shows that something has already happened or has been completed.
Definition in Chinese
作副词时表示两项或两面同时存在，相当于“两者都、同时”，常见结构为“既……又……”并置两个并列的成分。zuò fù cí shí biǎo shì liǎng xiàng huò liǎng miàn tóng shí cún zài xiāng dāng yú liáng zhě dōu tóng shí cháng jiàn jié gòu wèi jì yòu bìng zhì liǎng gè bìng liè de chéng fèn
Word origin
既 (jì, "already; both") first expressed an already-completed state, and its meaning broadened to mark two facts as jointly true.
Usage tips
- In speech, the first half of the pattern can sound unfinished until its companion clause arrives, making the opening adverb a useful signal to keep listening.