(ér shì) - but rather, instead in Mandarin
érshìTraditional: 而是
Translation
but rather, instead
Word origin
A two-character compound: 而 (er), a classical connective meaning 'and/but', plus 是 (shi) 'to be'. Together they mark a correction, 'but rather'.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 而 (er, classical conjunction) + 是 (shi, 'to be')
Stroke order
而
是
Examples
，。
I am not angry, but rather disappointed.
，。
It is not that he cannot, but that he does not want to.
，。
This is not the end, but rather the beginning.
，。
What I want is not money, but respect.
，。
He is not a doctor, but a teacher.
而是 (ér shì) means but rather or instead.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
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而是: worksheet, infographic and listicle
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 19.