Separate FunctionsHSK 6
Comparing 反而 and 相反
相反 is a conjunction that starts a new clause, always followed by a comma, to introduce a contrasting statement. 反而 is an adverb that sits inside a sentence, expressing an outcome opposite to what was expected, and never takes a comma. Use 相反 when you want to explicitly contrast two separate ideas; use 反而 to highlight an unexpected turn within a single flow.
Structure
… ，相反 ，…
相反 starts the second clause, always followed by a comma.
… 反而 …
反而 is placed within the sentence, not followed by a comma.
Examples
- 这样做帮不了他，相反，还会害了他。Zhè yàng zuò bāng bù liǎo tā, xiāng fǎn, hái huì hài le tā.This won't help him. On the contrary, it will harm him.
- 这样做不但帮不了他，反而会害了他。Zhè yàng zuò bú dàn bāng bù liǎo tā, fǎn ér huì hài le tā.Not only will this not help him, on the contrary it will harm him.