反而 fǎn'ér

反而（fǎn'ér）means “on the contrary; instead”. "反而" is an adverb meaning "on the contrary / instead". Formation: （不但不/没…，）反而 + V/小句

on the contrary; instead

HSK5

Formation

（不但不/没…，）反而 + V/小句

Explanation

"反而" is an adverb meaning "on the contrary / instead". It introduces a result that is the opposite of what one would expect from the earlier situation. It is often used after a clause like "不但不…" or "没…" to sharpen the contrast between expectation and reality.

Examples

吃了药，他的病不但没好，反而更严重了。
chī le yào, tā de bìng búdàn méi hǎo, fǎn'ér gèng yánzhòng le.
After taking the medicine, his illness not only didn't get better but instead got worse.
我帮了他，他反而怪我多管闲事。
wǒ bāng le tā, tā fǎn'ér guài wǒ duō guǎn xiánshì.
I helped him, but instead he blamed me for meddling.

Note

"反而" needs a contrast with something said or implied before; it goes before the verb of the surprising result.

FAQ

反而 — what does it mean and how is it used?

on the contrary; instead. "反而" is an adverb meaning "on the contrary / instead". It introduces a result that is the opposite of what one would expect from the earlier situation. It is often used after a clause like "不但不…" or "没…" to sharpen the contrast between expectation and reality.

反而 — how do you form it?

（不但不/没…，）反而 + V/小句

反而 — any usage notes?

"反而" needs a contrast with something said or implied before; it goes before the verb of the surprising result.

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