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反而

fǎn ér
HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Adverb Common

Definitions

  1. 1. on the contrary; instead

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Word relationships

Related words

1 item
却
què

but

'却'是副词，常与'反而'连用表示转折。

Synonyms

2 items
相反
xiāng fǎn

opposite

可互换，但'相反'更正式，'反而'常用于表示意外结果。
反倒
fǎn dào

but on the contrary

口语中可替换，强调意料之外的结果。

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not use 反而 to introduce a simple contrast like 'but'; it is used for unexpected outcomes contrary to what was anticipated.

Grammar

Guides that feature 反而

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3 guides
HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 5+ 6 min
不但不/没有...，反而... for “Not Only Not …, But Instead …”

不但不 / 不但没有……，反而…… says the expected thing didn’t happen and the opposite happened instead: 雨不但没停，反而越下越大了.

Reading: fǎn ér Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 5+ 7 min
Contrast with 反而 and 却

Practice advanced contrast sentences with 反而, 却, and expectation shifts.

Reading: fǎn ér Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 5+ 8 min
Mood Adverbs 毕竟, 居然, 果然, 的确, 简直, 反而

Show your attitude in one word: 毕竟 for “after all”, 居然 for surprise, 果然 for “sure enough”, 的确 for “indeed”, 简直 for exaggeration and 反而 for “instead”.

Reading: fǎn ér Open guide

Example Sentences

1 shown
他不但不生气， 反而 笑了。
Not only was he not angry, but instead he smiled.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 反而

反
fǎn

contrary

而
ér

and