不是…就是…
HSK 4- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 不是…就是… is used to list two possibilities, implying that apart from these two there are no other options.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
This structure is used to present two possibilities, asserting that the situation is definitely one of the two, with no third option. It typically expresses a habit, a recurring situation, or a confident assumption. The two clauses A and B are usually of the same grammatical type — for example, both nouns, verbs, or phrases.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他每天下班不是看书就是听音乐。繁: 他每天下班不是看書就是聽音樂。Tā měitiān xiàbān búshì kànshū jiùshì tīng yīnyuè.
Every day after work, he either reads books or listens to music.
- 这件衣服不是太大就是太小。繁: 這件衣服不是太大就是太小。Zhè jiàn yīfu búshì tài dà jiùshì tài xiǎo.
This piece of clothing is either too large or too small.
- 他周末不是在家睡觉就是出去玩。繁: 他週末不是在家睡覺就是出去玩。Tā zhōumò búshì zài jiā shuìjiào jiùshì chūqù wán.
He either sleeps at home on weekends or goes out to play.
- 我午饭不是吃米饭就是吃面条。繁: 我午飯不是吃米飯就是吃麵條。Wǒ wǔfàn búshì chī mǐfàn jiùshì chī miàntiáo.
For lunch, I either eat rice or noodles.
- 这里的天气不是太热就是太冷。繁: 這裡的天氣不是太熱就是太冷。Zhèlǐ de tiānqì búshì tài rè jiùshì tài lěng.
The weather here is either too hot or too cold.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:明天我们不是去公园就是去电影院吧。Correct:明天我们或者去公园，或者去电影院吧。
When proposing choices for the future, use 或者. 不是…就是… is typically used to describe an existing situation or a habit.
- Wrong:他不是学生就是老师吗？Correct:他是学生还是老师？
To form alternative questions, use `还是` (or) instead of `不是…就是…`.