反而
HSK 4- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The conjunction 反而 is used to connect two clauses where the result is contrary to expectation or what would normally be expected.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
反而 (fǎn ér) means "on the contrary" or "instead." It is used to connect two clauses, where the second clause expresses a result completely opposite to what would be expected from the first. The first clause sets up an expectation, but the second clause subverts it.
This structure emphasizes the surprising, illogical nature of the situation. It often appears together with 不但不... (not only not...) to heighten the sense of contrast.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 吃了药，他的病反而更重了。繁: 吃了藥，他的病反而更重了。Chī le yào, tā de bìng fǎn'ér gèng zhòng le.
After taking medicine, his illness became even worse instead.
- 我好心帮他，他反而生气了。繁: 我好心幫他，他反而生氣了。Wǒ hǎoxīn bāng tā, tā fǎn'ér shēngqì le.
I helped him out of kindness, but he got angry instead.
- 运动后，我不但不累，反而很有精神。繁: 運動後，我不但不累，反而很有精神。Yùndòng hòu, wǒ bùdàn bù lèi, fǎn'ér hěn yǒu jīngshén.
After exercising, I was not only not tired but instead felt very energetic.
- 降价以后，买的人反而少了。繁: 降價以後，買的人反而少了。Jiàngjià yǐhòu, mǎi de rén fǎn'ér shǎo le.
After the price reduction, fewer people actually bought it.
- 哥哥学习努力，成绩反而下降了。繁: 哥哥學習努力，成績反而下降了。Gēge xuéxí nǔlì, chéngjì fǎn'ér xiàjiàng le.
My older brother studied hard, but his grades actually declined.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:反而他不高兴。Correct:我安慰他，他反而不高兴。
反而 cannot stand alone at the beginning of a sentence; it requires a preceding clause to create contrast or opposition.
- Wrong:他很高，反而他弟弟很矮。Correct:他很高，但是他弟弟很矮。
Use 但是 when simply comparing two opposing facts; use 反而 when the result contradicts what is normal or expected.