不
bù
No, not
不 (bù) — not until you do, then…
不 (bù) + X + 不 (bù) + Result₁，一 (yī) + X + (就 (jiù)) + Result₂
HSK 63.0
Pattern diagram
不Action不Result，一Action就Result
Rule structure
不 (bù)X不 (bù)……，一 (yī)X…… first says that without action X, you do not discover or obtain a certain result. The same action X is then repeated: once you do it, a result becomes apparent, often unexpectedly. X is a verb or verb phrase; the results in the two halves can differ, and 就 (jiù) can be omitted in the second half, as in the main example.
Rule structure
不 (bù)X不 (bù)……，一 (yī)X…… first says that without action X, you do not discover or obtain a certain result. The same action X is then repeated: once you do it, a result becomes apparent, often unexpectedly. X is a verb or verb phrase; the results in the two halves can differ, and 就 (jiù) can be omitted in the second half, as in the main example.
Examples
不看不知道，一看吓一跳。
Bú kàn bù zhīdào, yí kàn xià yí tiào.
You don’t know until you look — and then you get a shock.
Examples
不看不知道，一看吓一跳。
Bú kàn bù zhīdào, yí kàn xià yí tiào.
You don’t know until you look — and then you get a shock.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “not until you do, then…” in Chinese with 不?
Use the structure: 不 (bù) + X + 不 (bù) + Result₁，一 (yī) + X + (就 (jiù)) + Result₂. For example: 不看不知道，一看吓一跳。 — “You don’t know until you look — and then you get a shock”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
不看不知道，一看吓一跳。 — “You don’t know until you look — and then you get a shock”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 6.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 6 grammar rules
算了 vs 得了 — closing a discussion
算了 (suàn le): close the topic / 得了 (dé le): cut the other person off
到 — up to, until
到 (dào) + Time/Limit + 为止 (wéizhǐ)
那倒是 — that's true
那 (nà) + 倒 (dào) + (也 (yě)) + 是 (shì)
这 那 — this and that
Verb + 这 (zhè) + Verb + 那 (nà)
放着 — leaving something unused
放着 (fàngzhe) + X + 不 (bù) + Y
好你个 — expressive address, mock reproach
好 (hǎo) + 你 (nǐ) + 个 (ge) + X (person)
到 — reaching someone personally
X (action/problem) + 到 (dào) + Y (person) + 头上来了 (tóu shang lái le)
早不X，晚不X — why now?
早 (zǎo) + (也 (yě)) + 不 (bù) + X，晚 (wǎn) + (也 (yě)) + 不 (bù) + X