不
bù
No, not
不是 (bù shì) — not A, but B
Subj. + 不是 (bú shì) + A + 而是 (ér shì) + B
HSK 43.0
Pattern diagram
Who / what不是Noun，而是Noun
Rule structure
不是 (bú shì)……而是 (ér shì)…… corrects a false statement: “not A, but B.” The first part rejects the mistaken option, and the second names the right one. The example corrects a belief about someone’s profession.
Rule structure
不是 (bú shì)……而是 (ér shì)…… corrects a false statement: “not A, but B.” The first part rejects the mistaken option, and the second names the right one. The example corrects a belief about someone’s profession.
Examples
他不是老师，而是医生。
Tā bú shì lǎoshī, ér shì yīshēng.
He's not a teacher, but a doctor.
我们不是坐地铁，而是走路。
Wǒmen bú shì zuò dìtiě, ér shì zǒulù.
We are not taking the subway, but walking.
Examples
他不是老师，而是医生。
Tā bú shì lǎoshī, ér shì yīshēng.
He's not a teacher, but a doctor.
我们不是坐地铁，而是走路。
Wǒmen bú shì zuò dìtiě, ér shì zǒulù.
We are not taking the subway, but walking.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “not A, but B” in Chinese with 不是?
Use the structure: Subj. + 不是 (bú shì) + A + 而是 (ér shì) + B. For example: 他不是老师，而是医生。 — “He's not a teacher, but a doctor”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他不是老师，而是医生。 — “He's not a teacher, but a doctor”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 4.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 4 grammar rules
选 — choosing someone for a role
Subject + 选 (xuǎn) + Person + 当 (dāng) + Role / Subject + 收 (shōu) + Person + 做 (zuò) / 为 (wéi) + Role
表扬 vs 批评 — praise vs criticize
Subject + 表扬 (biǎoyáng) / 批评 (pīpíng) + Person + Their action or behavior
尽管 — although… but…
尽管 (jǐnguǎn)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì)⋯⋯
却 — however, yet
⋯⋯，却 (què)⋯⋯
即使 — even if…
即使 (jíshǐ)⋯⋯，也 (yě)⋯⋯
就是 — even if…
就是 (jiùshì)⋯⋯，也 (yě)⋯⋯
要是 — if… then…
要是 (yàoshi)⋯⋯，就 (jiù)⋯⋯
不管 — no matter
不管 (bùguǎn)⋯⋯，都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)⋯⋯