非此即彼 (fēi cǐ jí bǐ) — either this or that; one or the other (binary choice, no middle ground)

Definition

Literally 'if not this, then that' — a binary choice between two options with no middle ground. Often used when rejecting the framing, as in the example showing a third option exists.

idiom
either this or thatone or the other (binary choice, no middle ground)

Examples

  • 非此即彼，。
    Zhè ge wèn tí bú shì fēi cǐ jí bǐ, hái yǒu dì sān zhǒng bàn fǎ.
    This problem isn't either-or; there's a third way.
  • 非此即彼，。
    Zài fēi cǐ jí bǐ de xuǎn zé zhōng, wǒ men bì xū jǐn shèn kǎo lǜ.
    In an either-or choice, we must consider carefully.
  • ，。
    Tā de sī wéi shì fēi cǐ jí bǐ de, méi yǒu zhōng jiān dì dài.
    His thinking is binary, with no middle ground.

Origin

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 非 is drawn from two wings facing opposite directions. It later came to be used for going against or not being.

Open 非 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

此 shows 止 (feet) and 人 (person), drawing a person stopping, to mean 'this' or 'here.'

Open 此 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 皀皀jíancient round-mouthed food vessel
  • 卩卩jiéto kneel

即 pairs 皀 (an ancient round-mouthed food vessel) with 卩 (to kneel), showing someone kneeling near the vessel to eat, so it means to come near or approach.

Open 即 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
彳彳chì
Sound part声符shēngfú
皮
皮pí彼bǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left part 彳 points to the meaning, and the right part 皮 gives the sound.

Open 彼 →

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