Definition
不等 has two main uses. As a verb phrase (v.p.), it means 'to be different' or 'to be unequal', often used in patterns like 大小不等 (varying in size) or 价格不等 (prices differ). It also functions as a conjunction in the pattern 不等…就…, meaning 'before …' or 'without waiting for …', e.g. 不等他说完就走了 (left before he finished speaking). The conjunction use is common in formal and written Chinese.
v.p.
to be differentto be unequal
Examples
- 不等，。Zhèxiē shāngpǐn de jiàgé bù děng, cóng jǐshí dào jǐbǎi dōu yǒu.The prices of these goods vary, ranging from tens to hundreds.
- 不等，。bù děng tā shuō wán, tā jiù zhuǎnshēn líkāi le.Before he finished speaking, she turned and left.
- 不等，。Tāmen niánlíng bù děng, dàn dōu hěn yǒu jīngyàn.They are of different ages, but all very experienced.
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