则 (while / whereas — formal contrast) · 则 (mientras / mientras que — contraste formal)
Compare two preferences in parallel
- Two siblings choose different activities for the weekend.
- 哥哥喜欢运动，弟弟则喜欢读书。 — 则 marks the second preference as a comparison with the first.
Compare two preferences in parallel
- Two siblings choose different activities for the weekend.
- older brother哥哥to like喜欢to move运动，younger brother弟弟(literary) (conjunction…则to like喜欢to read a book读书。 — (literary) (conjunction…则 marks the second preference as a comparison with the first.
Locate the pattern in real examples
- 则 (while / whereas — formal contrast): 南方多雨,北方则比较干燥。; 哥哥爱运动,弟弟则喜欢安静。
- Read the whole clause before choosing a translation. The examples show the pattern in use; the context below determines what the speaker claims.
Locate the pattern in real examples
- (literary) (conjunction…则 (while / whereas — formal contrast): south南方多雨,north北方(literary) (conjunction…则fairly / rather比较(of weather, climate, soil…干燥。; older brother哥哥to love爱to move运动,younger brother弟弟(literary) (conjunction…则to like喜欢quiet安静。
- Read the whole clause before choosing a translation. The examples show the pattern in use; the context below determines what the speaker claims.
Two siblings choose different activities for the weekend. What does 哥哥喜欢运动，弟弟则喜欢读书。 communicate?
则 marks the second preference as a comparison with the first. The two clauses need clear corresponding subjects or topics. 则 also occurs in conditional writing, such as 不进则退; it is not always translated as whereas.
Follow the speaker
older brother哥哥love爱sports运动，younger brother弟弟while则love爱reading读书。
- In the opening situation: 哥哥喜欢运动，弟弟则喜欢读书。
- 则 marks the second preference as a comparison with the first.
Follow the speaker
older brother哥哥love爱sports运动，younger brother弟弟while则love爱reading读书。
- In the opening situation: older brother哥哥to like喜欢to move运动，younger brother弟弟(literary) (conjunction…则to like喜欢to read a book读书。
- (literary) (conjunction…则 marks the second preference as a comparison with the first.
Using the pattern named in this lesson: …the younger brother loves reading: 哥哥爱运动，弟弟 ____ 爱读书。
Clause 1，Subj + 则 + … = while / whereas: 弟弟则爱读书.
则 marks a formal, written-style contrast.
Yes — “…, while / whereas …”.
Check the limit of the explanation
- The two clauses need clear corresponding subjects or topics.
- 则 also occurs in conditional writing, such as 不进则退; it is not always translated as whereas.
Check the limit of the explanation
- The two clauses need clear corresponding subjects or topics.
- (literary) (conjunction…则 also occurs in conditional writing, such as 不进则退; it is not always translated as whereas.
Every use of 则 must contrast the preferences of two people.
The two clauses need clear corresponding subjects or topics. 则 also occurs in conditional writing, such as 不进则退; it is not always translated as whereas. 则 marks the second preference as a comparison with the first.
Repair the form before interpreting it
- The form 弟弟喜欢读书则 needs repair here. Write 弟弟则喜欢读书 instead; keep the word or frame in its demonstrated order.
- Form and meaning are separate checks. After the repair, explain the sentence in its situation rather than treating a familiar translation as a universal rule.
Repair the form before interpreting it
- The form younger brother弟弟to like喜欢to read a book读书(literary) (conjunction…则 needs repair here. Write younger brother弟弟(literary) (conjunction…则to like喜欢to read a book读书 instead; keep the word or frame in its demonstrated order.
- Form and meaning are separate checks. After the repair, explain the sentence in its situation rather than treating a familiar translation as a universal rule.
Rewrite the demonstrated repair exactly: 弟弟喜欢读书则
The demonstrated form is 弟弟则喜欢读书. 则 marks the second preference as a comparison with the first.
Keep the distinction
- 则 marks the second preference as a comparison with the first. Check the relevant speaker, time or group in the surrounding context.
- The two clauses need clear corresponding subjects or topics. 则 also occurs in conditional writing, such as 不进则退; it is not always translated as whereas.
Read the full reference: HSK 6 grammar — Conjunctions.
Keep the distinction
- (literary) (conjunction…则 marks the second preference as a comparison with the first. Check the relevant speaker, time or group in the surrounding context.
- The two clauses need clear corresponding subjects or topics. (literary) (conjunction…则 also occurs in conditional writing, such as 不进则退; it is not always translated as whereas.
Read the full reference: HSK 6 grammar — Conjunctions.
In the sibling comparison, where does 则 go?
弟弟则喜欢读书: the second subject is followed by 则 and the predicate. Other uses of 则 include conditional expressions.