Chinese Conjunctions: Using 'Both... and...' (既...又/也)
既...又 to link two similar-toned qualities of a single person or object for a balanced description.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use '既...又...' to describe two positive qualities or states that happen at the same time.
- Place '既' before the first adjective or verb: {既|jì} {漂亮|piàoliang}.
- Place '又' or '也' before the second adjective or verb: {又|yòu} {聪明|cōngmíng}.
- The structure is: Subject + 既 + [adj/verb] + 又 + [adj/verb].
Overview
既...又/也 (jì...yòu/yě) is a fundamental Chinese correlative conjunction pattern used to express that a single subject possesses two distinct attributes or engages in two distinct actions simultaneously. Often translated as "both... and..." or "not only...
but also...", this structure functions to enhance descriptions, allowing you to present multiple facets of a person, object, or situation cohesively. It emphasizes the co-occurrence or co-existence of the two elements it connects, asserting that both are true for the subject. Mastering 既...又/也 is crucial for moving beyond simple, declarative sentences and developing more sophisticated and nuanced expression in Chinese.
It reflects a native speaker's ability to compress information efficiently, indicating that two characteristics are equally applicable and often complementary to the subject.
Historically, the character 既 (jì) originates from depicting a person eating, eventually evolving to mean "already" or "since." In its conjunctive role, 既 sets up the expectation of a subsequent element, implying that "since one thing is true, another is also true." The conjunction 又 (yòu) typically means "again" or "also," while 也 (yě) means "also" or "too." When paired with 既, both 又 and 也 serve to introduce the second characteristic. This construction allows for a balanced presentation of information, making your statements richer and more natural.
How This Grammar Works
既...又/也 is to link two predicates that describe the same noun or pronoun, the subject of the sentence. These predicates can manifest as adjectives, verbs, or short verbal phrases. The pattern operates on the principle of parallelism, requiring that the elements connected by 既 and 又/也 are grammatically symmetrical and refer back to the singular subject.既 introduces an adjective, 又/也 must also introduce an adjective. If 既 introduces a verb, 又/也 must introduce a verb or a verbal phrase of similar structure.既聪明 (jì cōngmíng, both smart) 又勤奋 (yòu qínfèn, and hardworking) is grammatically and semantically appropriate because both attributes are positive.既漂亮 (jì piàoliang, both beautiful) 又笨 (yòu bèn, and stupid) would be semantically jarring and unnatural, as it pairs a positive attribute with a negative one without contextual justification. The purpose of 既...又/也 is to add to the description, not to create a contradiction or an unexpected contrast.又 and 也 for the second part of the conjunction often reflects a slight nuance in formality and usage context. While both translate to "and" or "also" in this pattern, 又 is overwhelmingly more common in everyday spoken Chinese, lending a more casual and fluid tone. It suggests a simple addition or continuation of attributes.也, on the other hand, can carry a slightly more formal or emphatic tone, sometimes implying "as well" or "even." For A1 learners, prioritizing 又 is advisable for most communicative situations. You will encounter 也 in more formal writing or speeches, but 又 remains the default in natural conversation and even much informal writing.他既高又帅。 (Tā jì gāo yòu shuài.)- He is both tall and handsome. (Connecting two positive adjectives.)这份工作既忙也累。 (Zhè fèn gōngzuò jì máng yě lèi.)- This job is both busy and tiring. (Connecting two negative adjectives.)她既会唱歌又会跳舞。 (Tā jì huì chànggē yòu huì tiàowǔ.)- She can both sing and dance. (Connecting two verb phrases.)
Formation Pattern
既...又/也 follows a precise structure, which ensures clarity and grammatical correctness. Understanding this pattern is essential for accurately conveying that two qualities or actions apply to a single subject.
Subject + 既 + [Predicate 1] + 又/也 + [Predicate 2]
既 (jì): This adverbial conjunction always precedes the first predicate. It signals that another related predicate is forthcoming.
大 (dà, big), 小 (xiǎo, small), 好 (hǎo, good).
喜欢 (xǐhuān, like), 会 (huì, can).
有钱 (yǒuqián, have money).
又 (yòu) / 也 (yě): This conjunction precedes the second predicate. As discussed, 又 is more common in spoken and informal contexts, while 也 is slightly more formal.
这件衣服既好看又舒服。 | Zhè jiàn yīfu jì hǎokàn yòu shūfu. This piece of clothing is both good-looking and comfortable. | Two positive adjectives describe a single noun. |
我既喜欢吃辣也喜欢吃甜。 | Wǒ jì xǐhuān chī là yě xǐhuān chī tián. I both like spicy food and sweet food. | Two verb phrases describe the pronoun 我. 也 adds a touch more formality here. |
这家餐厅既便宜又好吃。 | Zhè jiā cāntīng jì piányi yòu hǎochī. This restaurant is both cheap and delicious. | 便宜 (cheap) is often used as a verbal phrase "to be cheap" in this context. |
既 and 又/也 always frame the predicates. They never stand alone or in different positions.
When To Use It
既...又/也 pattern whenever you need to effectively convey two distinct, yet equally relevant, characteristics or actions of a single subject. This structure serves several communicative purposes, allowing for more efficient and sophisticated expression than merely stating two separate sentences.- 1To provide a comprehensive description: When a single adjective or verb is insufficient to capture the essence of what you are describing,
既...又/也allows you to present a fuller picture. It bundles information, making your descriptions more nuanced and complete.
我的新手机既快又便宜。 (Wǒ de xīn shǒujī jì kuài yòu piányi.)- My new phone is both fast and cheap. (A positive review highlighting two desirable traits.)那个电影既长又无聊。 (Nàgè diànyǐng jì cháng yòu wúliáo.)- That movie is both long and boring. (A critical assessment, combining two negative aspects.)
- 1To emphasize the co-existence or simultaneity: This pattern inherently implies that the two attributes or actions exist or occur at the same time for the subject. It is not about one attribute leading to another, but rather about their parallel existence.
她既是老师又是学生。 (Tā jì shì lǎoshī yòu shì xuéshēng.)- She is both a teacher and a student. (Simultaneously holding two roles.)他既会说英语又会说法语。 (Tā jì huì shuō Yīngyǔ yòu huì shuō Fǎyǔ.)- He can both speak English and speak French. (Possessing two language skills concurrently.)
- 1For efficiency and naturalness in expression: Instead of using two separate sentences like "My phone is fast. My phone is cheap.",
既...又/也combines them into one fluid statement. This makes your Chinese sound less choppy and more like a native speaker's natural flow. It also avoids repetitive restatement of the subject.
- Instead of:
他很有钱。他很慷慨。 (Tā hěn yǒuqián. Tā hěn kāngkǎi.)(He is rich. He is generous.) - Use:
他既有钱又慷慨。 (Tā jì yǒuqián yòu kāngkǎi.)- He is both rich and generous.
- 1In various communication contexts: You will encounter and use this pattern across different registers, from informal social media posts to more formal discussions.
- Texting/Social Media:
这只猫咪既可爱又调皮！ (Zhè zhī māomī jì kě'ài yòu tiáopí!)- This cat is both cute and mischievous! - Work/Academic:
这个项目既有挑战性也有意义。 (Zhège xiàngmù jì yǒu tiǎozhànxìng yě yǒu yìyì.)- This project is both challenging and meaningful. - Daily Conversation:
这家店的菜既新鲜又好吃。 (Zhè jiā diàn de cài jì xīnxiān yòu hǎochī.)- This restaurant's dishes are both fresh and delicious.
既...又/也 elevates your descriptive abilities, allowing you to paint a more complete and sophisticated picture of the world around you.Common Mistakes
既...又/也 is a versatile and common pattern, learners frequently encounter specific pitfalls. Awareness of these common errors and understanding why they occur will significantly improve your accuracy and naturalness when using this structure.- 1Mismatched Semantic Orientation ("Vibe Check"): This is perhaps the most common and crucial mistake for A1 learners. As previously mentioned, the two qualities connected by
既...又/也should generally align in their positive or negative connotation. Pairing a positive adjective with a negative one often creates an awkward or illogical statement in Chinese, unless a specific contrasting effect is intended (which is advanced usage and rarely done with既...又/也).
- Incorrect:
他既聪明又懒惰。 (Tā jì cōngmíng yòu lǎnduò.)- He is both smart and lazy. (While grammatically structured correctly, pairing聪明(smart, positive) with懒惰(lazy, negative) sounds unnatural with既...又. A native speaker would likely use a different conjunction, like虽然...但是...(suīrán...dànshì..., although...but...) if they wanted to highlight this contrast.) - Correct:
他既聪明又努力。 (Tā jì cōngmíng yòu nǔlì.)- He is both smart and hardworking. (Both positive traits.) - Correct:
这个地方既脏又乱。 (Zhège dìfang jì zāng yòu luàn.)- This place is both dirty and messy. (Both negative traits.)
- 1Using
和 (hé)to connect adjectives or verbs: Many A1 learners initially conflate既...又/也with和(and). Remember,和is primarily used to connect nouns or noun phrases, and very rarely, if ever, to connect adjectives or verbs in a parallel descriptive sense. Using和where既...又/也is appropriate will sound fundamentally incorrect.
- Incorrect:
她漂亮和聪明。 (Tā piàoliang hé cōngmíng.)- She is beautiful and smart. (Sounds very unnatural;和does not function this way with adjectives.) - Correct:
她既漂亮又聪明。 (Tā jì piàoliang yòu cōngmíng.)- She is both beautiful and smart. - Correct (for nouns):
我喜欢苹果和香蕉。 (Wǒ xǐhuān píngguǒ hé xiāngjiāo.)- I like apples and bananas.
- 1Omitting the Subject: While Chinese often allows for subject omission when context is crystal clear, for the
既...又/也pattern, especially at the A1 level, it is best practice to always include the subject. This pattern is inherently about attributing qualities to a specific subject, and omitting it can lead to ambiguity or sound incomplete.
- Less clear/potentially incorrect for beginners:
既累又饿。 (Jì lèi yòu è.)- Both tired and hungry. (Who is tired and hungry? While context might make it clear, it's better to explicitly state.) - Clearer:
我既累又饿。 (Wǒ jì lèi yòu è.)- I am both tired and hungry.
- 1Lack of Grammatical Parallelism: The elements connected by
既and又/也must be of a similar grammatical category. Mixing different types of phrases (e.g., an adjective with a complete clause) will result in an ungrammatical sentence.
- Incorrect:
她既漂亮又她喜欢跳舞。 (Tā jì piàoliang yòu tā xǐhuān tiàowǔ.)- She is both beautiful and she likes to dance. (漂亮is an adjective,她喜欢跳舞is a clause.) - Correct:
她既漂亮又会跳舞。 (Tā jì piàoliang yòu huì tiàowǔ.)- She is both beautiful and can dance. (Both are predicative phrases referring to她.) - Correct:
她既会唱歌也会跳舞。 (Tā jì huì chànggē yě huì tiàowǔ.)- She can both sing and dance. (Both are verbal phrases.)
- 1Using
既without又/也(or vice-versa): This pattern is a correlative conjunction, meaning both parts (既and又/也) are necessary to form the structure. You cannot use one without the other in this context.
- Incorrect:
他既聪明。 (Tā jì cōngmíng.)- He is both smart. (Incomplete.) - Incorrect:
他聪明又努力。 (Tā cōngmíng yòu nǔlì.)- He is smart and hardworking. (Missing既, making it less emphatic than既...又. While又...又exists, it has a slightly different nuance discussed later.)
既...又/也 correctly and naturally.既...又/也, but each carries distinct nuances and grammatical rules. Understanding these differences is crucial for selecting the appropriate structure to express your intended meaning.- 1
又...又... (yòu...yòu...)vs.既...又/也... (jì...yòu/yě...)
又...又... pattern is grammatically and semantically very close to 既...又..., also meaning "both... and...". In many informal contexts, they are interchangeable, especially when connecting adjectives. However, there are subtle distinctions:- Emphasis:
既...又/也...often carries a slightly stronger emphasis on the simultaneous existence of both attributes or actions. It feels more deliberate and conclusive. - Formality:
既...又/也...can sound a bit more formal or literary, especially with也, compared to the more casual and conversational又...又.... - Scope:
又...又...can sometimes imply a more spontaneous or immediate observation, or even a sense of 'doing something again and again' when connecting verbs, which既...又/也does not.既...又/也is strictly about co-existence. - Examples:
他既高又帅。 (Tā jì gāo yòu shuài.)- He is both tall and handsome. (Emphatic, conclusive.)他又高又帅。 (Tā yòu gāo yòu shuài.)- He is both tall and handsome. (Slightly more casual, observational.)
既...又 is a safe and reliable choice, clearly indicating the "both... and..." meaning.- 1
不但...而且... (bùdàn...érqiě...)vs.既...又/也...
不但...而且... translates to "not only... but also..." and implies a progression or an unexpected addition. The second clause (而且...) often presents something that is more significant, surprising, or an intensified continuation of the first (不但...). There's an inherent sense of adding more to what was already stated.既...又/也...: Simply lists two co-existing attributes or actions. The attributes are usually of equal weight and are expected to be present together.她既聪明又漂亮。 (Tā jì cōngmíng yòu piàoliang.)- She is both smart and beautiful. (Two equally important traits.)不但...而且...: Implies that the second attribute is an enhancement or goes beyond the first.她不但聪明而且很努力。 (Tā bùdàn cōngmíng érqiě hěn nǔlì.)- She is not only smart, but also very hardworking. (The hardworking aspect is presented as an additional, perhaps more commendable, quality.)
既...又/也 for simple co-existence, and 不但...而且 when the second point adds extra impact or is a stronger statement.- 1
一边...一边... (yìbiān...yìbiān...)vs.既...又/也...
一边...一边... is used exclusively for two actions performed simultaneously by the same subject. It specifically refers to concurrent activities, not static attributes.既...又/也...: Connects attributes (adjectives) or actions (verbs/verbal phrases) that describe the subject's state or capability.我既喜欢看书又喜欢运动。 (Wǒ jì xǐhuān kànshū yòu xǐhuān yùndòng.)- I both like reading and like exercising. (Expressing two preferences.)一边...一边...: Connects two ongoing actions happening at the same time.我一边吃饭一边看电视。 (Wǒ yìbiān chīfàn yìbiān kàn diànshì.)- I eat while watching TV. (Two actions happening at the same time.)
一边...一边... to say someone is "both tall and handsome"; it must be two continuous verbs. This distinction is clear: actions vs. attributes/capabilities.Real Conversations
既...又/也 is a highly practical structure that permeates both casual and formal communication in Chinese. Understanding its application in authentic contexts reveals its utility beyond textbook examples, helping you sound more natural and fluent.
In daily interactions, this pattern is frequently used for:
- Expressing opinions or making recommendations: When evaluating something, whether a product, a place, or an experience, 既...又/也 allows you to succinctly provide two positive or negative points.
- 这家咖啡店既安静又舒适。 (Zhè jiā kāfēidiàn jì ānjìng yòu shūshì.) - This coffee shop is both quiet and comfortable. (Recommending a place.)
- 他买的二手车既便宜又耐用。 (Tā mǎi de èrshǒuchē jì piányi yòu nàiyòng.) - The used car he bought is both cheap and durable. (Sharing a positive experience.)
- Describing people or personalities: This pattern is ideal for painting a fuller picture of someone's character by combining two traits.
- 我的老板既严格又公平。 (Wǒ de lǎobǎn jì yánggé yòu gōngpíng.) - My boss is both strict and fair. (A balanced observation.)
- 她既善良又乐于助人。 (Tā jì shànliáng yòu lèyú zhùrén.) - She is both kind and eager to help others. (Praising someone's character.)
- Discussing tasks or situations: It helps to summarize the dual nature of an event or responsibility.
- 学中文既有趣又挑战。 (Xué Zhōngwén jì yǒuqù yòu tiǎozhàn.) - Learning Chinese is both interesting and challenging. (A common sentiment among learners.)
- 这个会议既重要又紧急。 (Zhège huìyì jì zhòngyào yòu jǐnjí.) - This meeting is both important and urgent. (Emphasizing the dual priority.)
In online communication, such as social media posts, reviews, or chat messages, 既...又/也 provides a concise way to share comprehensive feedback or descriptions.
- WeChat moments (朋友圈 - péngyǒuquān): 今天的晚餐既简单又美味！ (Jīntiān de wǎncān jì jiǎndān yòu měiwèi!) - Today's dinner was both simple and delicious!
- Product reviews: 这个APP既好用又免费，强烈推荐！ (Zhège APP jì hǎoyòng yòu miǎnfèi, qiángliè tuījiàn!) - This app is both easy to use and free, highly recommended!
- Expressing feelings: 我既兴奋又紧张，因为明天要考试。 (Wǒ jì xīngfèn yòu jǐnzhāng, yīnwèi míngtiān yào kǎoshì.) - I am both excited and nervous, because tomorrow I have an exam.
Even in more formal contexts, such as business discussions or academic presentations, 既...又/也 maintains its utility for clearly presenting dual attributes or considerations.
- 我们的新产品既环保又高效。 (Wǒmen de xīn chǎnpǐn jì huánbǎo yòu gāoxiào.) - Our new product is both environmentally friendly and highly efficient. (Marketing a product's dual benefits.)
- 这个政策的实施既需要时间也需要资金。 (Zhège zhèngcè de shíshī jì xūyào shíjiān yě xūyào zījīn.) - The implementation of this policy requires both time and funding. (Discussing project requirements, using 也 for a slightly more formal tone.)
The consistent feature across all these contexts is the desire to efficiently combine two related pieces of information about a single subject, making the communication more compact and impactful. Pay attention to how native speakers use this pattern in everyday speech and writing, and try to incorporate it into your own expressions. It is a hallmark of more fluent and articulate Chinese.
Quick FAQ
- Q: Can I use
既...又/也with verbs? - A: Yes, absolutely. It's common to use it to describe two actions or abilities that a person possesses. For example,
他既会说中文又会写汉字。 (Tā jì huì shuō Zhōngwén yòu huì xiě Hànzì.)- He can both speak Chinese and write characters.
- Q: Is
既mandatory in this pattern? - A: Yes. For the
既...又/也structure,既is an essential component. If you omit既, you are either using the又...又...pattern (which is distinct though similar) or creating an incomplete sentence. Always include既to form this specific correlative conjunction.
- Q: Can I connect three or more things using
既...又/也? - A: Generally, no. The
既...又/也pattern is designed for connecting two elements. While theoretically you might sometimes hear variations in very informal speech, standard and grammatically correct usage is limited to two. If you have three or more attributes, you should consider using enumeration, different conjunctions, or breaking your sentence into multiple parts for clarity. For instance, you could say这个地方既漂亮又安静，也很干净。 (Zhège dìfang jì piàoliang yòu ānjìng, yě hěn gānjìng.)- This place is both beautiful and quiet, also very clean. Here,既...又connects two, and也introduces a third, but it's not a既...又...又structure.
- Q: Does the order of the two qualities matter?
- A: Grammatically, no, the order usually does not affect correctness. However, pragmatically, native speakers often place the quality they consider more important, more obvious, or that they want to highlight first. For instance, when complimenting someone,
既聪明又漂亮(smart and beautiful) might emphasize intelligence first.
- Q: Can I use
既...也...instead of既...又...always? - A: While often interchangeable,
又is generally more common and natural in conversational Chinese.也can impart a slightly more formal, literary, or emphatic tone, suggesting "as well" or "even." For everyday use,既...又is your safest bet. Only opt for也if you specifically intend that subtle shift in tone.
- Q: Can
既...又/也be used to connect clauses (full sentences)? - A: While the core use is for predicates describing a single subject, you can sometimes see it connecting short, parallel clauses that essentially function as predicate extensions, especially with actions. However, for A1 learners, focus on its primary function with adjectives, verbs, and verbal phrases to ensure accuracy. For full clause connection with a contrast or progression,
不但...而且...or similar patterns are generally more appropriate.
Formation Pattern
| Part | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Subject
|
Subject
|
他
|
|
Conjunction 1
|
既
|
既
|
|
Element 1
|
Adj/Verb
|
聪明
|
|
Conjunction 2
|
又/也
|
又
|
|
Element 2
|
Adj/Verb
|
努力
|
Meanings
A correlative conjunction used to connect two adjectives or verbs, indicating that both qualities or actions exist simultaneously.
Dual Adjectives
Describing two positive traits of a person or object.
“她{既|jì}{高|gāo}{又|yòu}{漂亮|piàoliang}。”
“这件衣服{既|jì}{便宜|piányi}{又|yòu}{好看|hǎokàn}。”
Dual Actions
Describing two simultaneous actions.
“他{既|jì}{唱歌|chànggē}{又|yòu}{跳舞|tiàowǔ}。”
“我{既|jì}{想|xiǎng}{去|qù}{北京|běijīng}{又|yòu}{想|xiǎng}{去|qù}{上海|shànghǎi}。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subj + 既 + A + 又 + B
|
他既高又帅
|
|
Negative (Verb)
|
Subj + 既 + 不 + V1 + 又 + 不 + V2
|
他不抽烟也不喝酒
|
|
Skill/Ability
|
Subj + 既 + 会 + V1 + 又 + 会 + V2
|
他既会唱歌又会跳舞
|
|
Desire
|
Subj + 既 + 想 + V1 + 又 + 想 + V2
|
我想既去北京又去上海
|
|
Formal
|
Subj + 既 + [Formal A] + 又 + [Formal B]
|
此举既高效又环保
|
Formality Spectrum
他既聪明又勤奋。 (Describing a colleague)
他既聪明又努力。 (Describing a colleague)
他既聪明又努力。 (Describing a colleague)
他既聪明又给力。 (Describing a colleague)
既...又... Concept Map
Usage
- 描述人 Describing people
- 描述物品 Describing objects
Grammar
- 主语 + 既 + A + 又 + B Subject + 既 + A + 又 + B
既...又 vs 不但...而且
Examples by Level
他{既|jì}{聪明|cōngmíng}{又|yòu}{可爱|kě'ài}。
He is both smart and cute.
这杯咖啡{既|jì}{热|rè}{又|yòu}{好喝|hǎohē}。
This coffee is both hot and delicious.
她{既|jì}{会|huì}{画画|huàhuà}{又|yòu}{会|huì}{唱歌|chànggē}。
She can both paint and sing.
这个房间{既|jì}{大|dà}{又|yòu}{亮|liàng}。
This room is both big and bright.
他{既|jì}{不|bù}{抽烟|chōuyān}{又|yòu}{不|bù}{喝酒|hējiǔ}。
He neither smokes nor drinks.
这个工作{既|jì}{有|yǒu}{挑战性|tiǎozhànxìng}{又|yòu}{有|yǒu}{意思|yìsi}。
This job is both challenging and interesting.
我们{既|jì}{要|yào}{努力|nǔlì}{学习|xuéxí}{又|yòu}{要|yào}{注意|zhùyì}{身体|shēntǐ}。
We must both study hard and take care of our health.
这本小说{既|jì}{感人|gǎnrén}{又|yòu}{深刻|shēnkè}。
This novel is both moving and profound.
他{既|jì}{是|shì}{我的|wǒde}{老师|lǎoshī}{又是|yòushì}{我的|wǒde}{朋友|péngyou}。
He is both my teacher and my friend.
这种{材料|cáiliào}{既|jì}{轻便|qīngbiàn}{又|yòu}{耐用|nàiyòng}。
This material is both lightweight and durable.
他{既|jì}{没有|méiyǒu}{经验|jīngyàn}{又|yòu}{没有|méiyǒu}{资源|zīyuán}。
He has neither experience nor resources.
这个方案{既|jì}{节省|jiéshěng}{时间|shíjiān}{又|yòu}{提高|tígāo}{效率|xiàolǜ}。
This plan both saves time and increases efficiency.
这{不仅|bùjǐn}{是|shì}{一个|yīgè}{挑战|tiǎozhàn}，{既|jì}{考验|kǎoyàn}{我们的|wǒmen de}{耐心|nàixīn}{又|yòu}{考验|kǎoyàn}{我们的|wǒmen de}{智慧|zhìhuì}。
This is not only a challenge, it tests both our patience and our wisdom.
该{政策|zhèngcè}{既|jì}{促进|cùjìn}{了|le}{经济|jīngjì}{发展|fāzhǎn}{又|yòu}{改善|gǎishàn}{了|le}{民生|mínshēng}。
The policy has both promoted economic development and improved people's livelihoods.
他{既|jì}{表现|biǎoxiàn}{出|chū}{了|le}{极高|jí gāo}{的|de}{专业|zhuānyè}{素养|sùyǎng}{又|yòu}{展现|zhǎnxiàn}{了|le}{非凡|fēifán}{的|de}{领导力|lǐngdǎolì}。
He displayed both high professional standards and extraordinary leadership.
这种{设计|shèjì}{既|jì}{符合|fúhé}{审美|shěnměi}{又|yòu}{兼顾|jiāngù}{实用性|shíyòngxìng}。
This design both meets aesthetic standards and takes practicality into account.
此举{既|jì}{彰显|zhāngxiǎn}{了|le}{他|tā}{的|de}{远见|yuǎnjiàn}{又|yòu}{体现|tǐxiàn}{了|le}{他|tā}{的|de}{责任感|zérèngǎn}。
This move both highlights his foresight and reflects his sense of responsibility.
这{既|jì}{是|shì}{历史|lìshǐ}{的|de}{必然|bìrán}{又|yòu}{是|shì}{时代|shídài}{的|de}{选择|xuǎnzé}。
This is both a historical necessity and a choice of the times.
他{既|jì}{深谙|shēn'ān}{传统|chuántǒng}{又|yòu}{勇于|yǒngyú}{创新|chuàngxīn}。
He is both well-versed in tradition and brave in innovation.
这种{平衡|pínghéng}{既|jì}{脆弱|cuìruò}{又|yòu}{稳固|wěngù}。
This balance is both fragile and stable.
其{言|yán}{既|jì}{简|jiǎn}{又|yòu}{赅|gāi}，{发人深省|fārénshēnxǐng}。
His words are both concise and comprehensive, thought-provoking.
此{论点|lùndiǎn}{既|jì}{有|yǒu}{理论|lǐlùn}{支撑|zhīchēng}{又|yòu}{有|yǒu}{实证|shízhèng}{依据|yījù}。
This argument has both theoretical support and empirical evidence.
他{既|jì}{不|bù}{卑|bēi}{不|bù}{亢|kàng}{又|yòu}{谦逊|qiānxùn}{有礼|yǒulǐ}。
He is neither servile nor overbearing, and is both humble and polite.
这{既|jì}{是|shì}{一种|yīzhǒng}{艺术|yìshù}{表达|biǎodá}{又|yòu}{是|shì}{一种|yīzhǒng}{文化|wénhuà}{传承|chuánchéng}。
This is both an artistic expression and a cultural inheritance.
Easily Confused
Both connect two ideas. Learners mix them up because they translate to 'and' or 'not only'.
又...又... is very similar to 既...又... and often interchangeable.
Learners use '和' to connect adjectives, which is grammatically incorrect.
Common Mistakes
既他聪明又努力
他既聪明又努力
他既聪明又是努力
他既聪明又努力
他既聪明，又他努力
他既聪明又努力
他既聪明又坏
他既聪明又努力
既聪明又努力他
他既聪明又努力
他既聪明，而且努力
他既聪明又努力
他既聪明，又努力的
他既聪明又努力
他既聪明又努力的性格
他既聪明又努力
既聪明又努力，他很好
他既聪明又努力
他既聪明，又努力，还很帅
他既聪明又帅，而且很努力
既聪明又努力是他的特点
他既聪明又努力
既聪明又努力，他赢了
因为他既聪明又努力，所以他赢了
他既聪明又努力的
他既聪明又努力
他既聪明又努力，但是很懒
他既聪明又努力，但很懒
Sentence Patterns
他既___又___。
这件衣服既___又___。
他既会___又会___。
这个方案既___又___。
Real World Usage
这个餐厅既好吃又便宜！
他既聪明又努力，真棒。
我既有经验又有热情。
这款耳机既轻便又音质好。
这个城市既古老又现代。
此理论既有深度又具广度。
Keep it parallel
Avoid negatives
Use for positive traits
Symmetry is key
Smart Tips
Use '既...又' to sound more descriptive.
Use '既...又' to highlight two benefits.
Use '既...又' to list abilities.
Use '既...又' for professional balance.
Pronunciation
Tone of 既
既 is 4th tone (jì). Make it sharp and falling.
Tone of 又
又 is 4th tone (yòu). Make it sharp and falling.
Balanced
他(既)聪明(又)努力
Equal emphasis on both qualities.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '既' as 'Jumping' into the first quality, and '又' as 'Yelling' out the second one.
Visual Association
Imagine a person standing on a scale. On one side, a weight labeled 'Smart', on the other side, a weight labeled 'Kind'. The scale is perfectly balanced because of the '既...又' beam.
Rhyme
既 is the start, 又 is the end, two good things, my Chinese friend.
Story
Xiao Ming is a super student. He is 既 smart 又 hardworking. Because he is 既 smart 又 hardworking, he gets an A+. Everyone wants to be 既 smart 又 hardworking like him.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your best friend using '既...又...' in the next 5 minutes.
Cultural Notes
Used frequently in formal education and media to describe ideal traits.
Similar usage, but sometimes '也' is preferred over '又' in certain contexts.
Often mixed with Cantonese particles, but the structure remains standard.
The structure originates from classical Chinese parallelism, where balanced phrases were highly valued.
Conversation Starters
你觉得你的朋友怎么样？
你为什么想学中文？
你理想的工作是什么样的？
你如何评价这部电影？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
他___聪明___努力。
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
他聪明和努力。
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
She is both tall and pretty.
Answer starts with: a...
Use 既...又 to describe a phone.
Which is the correct order?
A: 你觉得这个老师怎么样？ B: ___
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises他___聪明___努力。
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
他聪明和努力。
又 / 既 / 他 / 聪明 / 努力
She is both tall and pretty.
Use 既...又 to describe a phone.
Which is the correct order?
A: 你觉得这个老师怎么样？ B: ___
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises这款软件 ___ 免费 ___ 好用。
既 / 他 / 帅 / 高 / 又
This coffee is both hot and bitter.
Match the English to Chinese
The laptop is fast and light.
他既会跳舞又喜欢吃苹果。
天气 ___ 阴 ___ 冷。
工作 / 既 / 忙 / 她 / 又 / 累
I am both hungry and thirsty.
Match the scenario to the pattern
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
It is generally avoided. Use '不但...而且' for negative traits.
They are very similar, but '既...又' is slightly more formal.
Yes, the subject must precede the '既'.
Usually, it's for two things. For more, use '不但...而且...还'.
It is neutral and used in all contexts.
Yes, it works for both.
Sometimes '也' is used for variety, but '又' is more common.
Yes, it is very common.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
tanto... como...
Spanish requires agreement in gender/number for the adjectives.
à la fois... et...
French structure is slightly more flexible in placement.
sowohl... als auch...
German requires strict verb placement if used with clauses.
～も～も
Japanese uses particles at the end of the items, while Chinese uses conjunctions at the start.
كلا... و...
Arabic grammar is highly inflected, unlike Chinese.
既...又...
It is the standard for this type of correlative conjunction.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Advanced Causality: So... That (以致, 致使, 从而)
Overview Mastering advanced causal connectors is a hallmark of the C2 level, allowing you to articulate complex cause-a...
Doing two things at once (一边...一边)
Overview In Chinese, expressing two actions occurring simultaneously is a fundamental aspect of clear communication. The...
Using `虽然...但是` (suīrán...dànshì) to Say "Although... But..."
Overview The Chinese conjunction pair `虽然...但是` (`suīrán...dànshì`) is a fundamental structure for expressing contra...
Casual 'If' in Chinese: Using 要是 (yàoshi)
Overview The ability to discuss conditions—"if this, then that"—is fundamental to any language. In Chinese, the concept...
As Soon As... Then... (一...就...)
Overview The structure **`一...就...` (yī...jiù...)** is one of the most fundamental and high-frequency patterns in Man...
