Definition
反而 (fǎn ér) is an adverb meaning 'on the contrary, instead', used specifically when a result is the opposite of what was expected. It differs from 相反 (xiāng fǎn), which can be an adjective ('opposite') or a conjunction at the start of a clause, and from 倒是 (dào shì), which adds a tone of surprise or a soft suggestion.
adverb
on the contraryinstead (indicating a result opposite to expectation)
Examples
- ，反而。Tā chī le yào, bìng fǎn ér gèng yánzhòng le.He took medicine, but instead his illness got worse.
- ，反而。Wǒ běnlái xiǎng bāng tā, fǎn ér gěi tā tiān le máfan.I originally wanted to help him, but instead I caused him trouble.
- ，反而。Nǐ shuō de màn yìdiǎn, tā fǎn ér tīng bù dǒng le.You spoke more slowly, but he couldn't understand instead.
Grammar
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