反而 vs 相反 (instead vs on the contrary)
A reversal differs from a contrasting proposition
- An explanation was expected to help but instead made things less clear.
- 解释后，我反而更糊涂了。 — 反而 marks a result opposite to the expected improvement.
A reversal differs from a contrasting proposition
- An explanation was expected to help but instead made things less clear.
- explanation解释back后，I / me我on the contrary反而more更muddled糊涂(completed / change)了。 — on the contrary反而 marks a result opposite to the expected improvement.
An explanation was expected to help but instead made things less clear. What does 解释后，我反而更糊涂了。 communicate?
反而 marks a result opposite to the expected improvement. 相反 can open a contrasting statement or describe opposite properties. In this frame 反而 modifies the predicate, rather than merely naming any difference.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is 反而 vs 相反 (instead vs on the contrary). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
illness病instead反而more更serious重了。
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is on the contrary反而 vs opposite相反 (instead vs on the contrary). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
illness病instead反而more更serious重了。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: Instead, the illness got worse: 病 ____ 更重了。
反而 = instead / on the contrary: 病反而更重了. · 反而 = en cambio / por el contrario: 病反而更重了.
Read examples in context
on the contrary相反，I我agree同意。
- In the opening example, 解释后，我反而更糊涂了。: 反而 marks a result opposite to the expected improvement.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Read examples in context
on the contrary相反，I我agree同意。
- In the opening example, explanation解释back后，I / me我on the contrary反而more更muddled糊涂(completed / change)了。: on the contrary反而 marks a result opposite to the expected improvement.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Which word fills the demonstrated reversal 病____更重了?
反而 modifies the adjective predicate 更重. 相反 can instead open a separate contrasting clause or describe opposite properties.
Know the boundary
- 相反 can open a contrasting statement or describe opposite properties.
- In this frame 反而 modifies the predicate, rather than merely naming any difference.
Know the boundary
- opposite相反 can open a contrasting statement or describe opposite properties.
- In this frame on the contrary反而 modifies the predicate, rather than merely naming any difference.
相反 often opens a clause (相反，…). · 相反 a menudo abre una cláusula (相反，…).
Yes — 相反，我同意 (on the contrary, I agree). · Sí — 相反，我同意 (por el contrario, estoy de acuerdo).
In the opening situation: 反而 marks a result opposite to the expected improvement.
相反 can open a contrasting statement or describe opposite properties. In this frame 反而 modifies the predicate, rather than merely naming any difference. 反而 marks a result opposite to the expected improvement.
Use the distinction
- 反而 marks a result opposite to the expected improvement.
- 相反 can open a contrasting statement or describe opposite properties. In this frame 反而 modifies the predicate, rather than merely naming any difference.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Comparing similar functions.
Use the distinction
- on the contrary反而 marks a result opposite to the expected improvement.
- opposite相反 can open a contrasting statement or describe opposite properties. In this frame on the contrary反而 modifies the predicate, rather than merely naming any difference.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Comparing similar functions.