on the contrary; instead
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesadverb
on the contrary; instead; but rather
Used to express that an outcome is opposite to what was expected or usual. Typically appears in the second clause of a sentence, often preceded by a situation that sets up the expectation.
Fēng风
bù不
dàn但
méi没
tíng停
，
fǎn反
ér而
yuè越
lái来
yuè越
dà大
le了
。
The wind not only didn't stop, but instead grew stronger.
Nǐ你
tài太
jū拘
lǐ礼
le了
，
fǎn反
ér而
nòng弄
de得
dà大
jiā家
hěn很
bù不
zì自
zai在
。
You are being too formal, which on the contrary makes everyone feel uncomfortable.
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Wǒ我
yǐ以
wéi为
tā他
huì会
shēng生
qì气
，
tā他
fǎn反
ér而
xiào笑
le了
。
I thought he would get angry, but instead he laughed.
Chī吃
le了
yào药
，
bìng病
qíng情
fǎn反
ér而
jiā加
zhòng重
le了
。
After taking the medicine, the condition worsened instead.
Tā他
běn本
xiǎng想
lái来
bāng帮
máng忙
，
jié结
guǒ果
fǎn反
ér而
tiān添
le了
luàn乱
。
He originally came to help, but ended up making a mess instead.