而是
ér shì
HSK level: HSK 3.0 · 4
Meaning
rather
Learn in the app → Write in stroke order
Characters
Examples
我要的不是茶,而是咖啡。
wǒ yào de bù shì chá, ér shì kā fēi。
What I want isn't tea, but coffee.
他们不是在打架,而是在排练戏剧。
tā men bù shì zài dǎ jià, ér shì zài pái liàn xì jù。
They aren't quarreling, but are rehearsing a play.
奥运会最重要的不是获胜,而是参与。
Ào yùn huì zuì zhòng yào de bù shì huò shèng, ér shì cān yù。
The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part.