Chinese word

而是

Pronunciation

Pinyinér shì

Meaning

  • conjunctionbut rather

Example

他不是不高兴，而是很忙。tā bú shì bù gāo xìng ér shì hěn máng

He is not unhappy, but rather very busy.

Illustration for 而是 (but rather)

More examples

他不是不努力，而是方法不对。tā bú shì bù nǔ lì ér shì fāng fǎ bú duì

He is not failing to work hard; rather, his method is wrong.

Core concept

A contrastive turn that sets aside one possibility and puts the real or intended one in focus.

Common phrases

  • 不是...而是...bú shì ér shì

    not ___ but rather ___

Similar words

但是dàn shì: Connects two statements when the second presents an opposing or contrasting fact.
可是kě shì: Connects contrasting statements in speech with a sense of surprise or rebuttal.
不过bú guò: Softens the previous statement by adding a limit or exception.
然而rán ér: Connects contrasting facts in a restrained, mainly written style.

Definition in Chinese

用于否定前一判断并引入相反或更准确说明的连词，置于否定句与肯定句之间以形成对比。yòng yú fǒu dìng qián yí pàn duàn bìng yǐn rù xiāng fǎn huò gèng zhǔn què shuō míng de lián cí zhì yú fǒu dìng jù yǔ kěn dìng jù zhī jiān yǐ xíng chéng duì bǐ

Word origin

而 (ér, "and; yet") links ideas, while 是 (shì, "to be") affirms one, giving 而是 (érshì, "but rather") its corrective contrast.

Usage tips

  • The phrase usually follows a negative statement rather than joining two equal alternatives, a pattern that narrows its use compared with broad English contrast markers.

Other meanings

  • insteadconjunction

Word lists with this word