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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "But Rather" with 而是 (érshì)

    Connecting Ideas
    Negation

    Structure

    不是 + A + 而是 + B

    Explanation

    而是 (érshì) is used to express "but rather" or "but instead," typically following a negation with 不是. Together, the pattern 不是…而是… means "it is not…but rather…," allowing the speaker to correct a misconception or clarify the true situation.

    Examples

    • 我喜欢的不是颜色，而是款式。

      wǒ xǐhuan de bù shì yánsè, ér shì kuǎnshì.

      What I like is not the color, but the style.

    • 他不是不想帮忙，而是真的没有时间。

      Tā bú shì bù xiǎng bāngmáng, ér shì zhēn de méiyǒu shíjiān.

      It's not that he doesn't want to help, but that he really doesn't have time.

    • 成功靠的不是运气，而是努力。

      Chénggōng kào de bú shì yùnqì, ér shì nǔlì.

      Success depends not on luck, but on hard work.

    Often Confused With

    Expressing "But Rather" with 而是 (érshì) | Chinese Grammar