既 … 也 / 又 … (both … and …)
IntroducedTwo qualities need not share an emotional value
- An item is expensive but useful, and both qualities are acknowledged.
- this这个thing东西both既expensive贵and又good好to use / with用。 — both既…and又… combines the cost and usefulness as coexisting qualities.
An item is expensive but useful, and both qualities are acknowledged. What does 这个东西既贵又好用。 communicate?
既…又… combines the cost and usefulness as coexisting qualities. One quality can be a drawback and the other a benefit. The construction does not force two positive or two negative judgments.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is both既 … also也 / and又 … (both … and …). 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.
this这(measure word)个dish菜both既cheap便宜and又tasty好吃。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: Both cheap and tasty: 这个菜既便宜 ____ 好吃。
既 + A + 又 + B = both … and …: 既便宜又好吃.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, this这个thing东西both既expensive贵and又good好to use / with用。: both既…and又… combines the cost and usefulness as coexisting qualities.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
既…又… balances…
既聪明又努力 — two qualities side by side.
Know the boundary
- One quality can be a drawback and the other a benefit.
- The construction does not force two positive or two negative judgments.
既 is followed by 也 or 又 for the second quality.
Yes — 既…也…, 既…又….
既…又… can never combine a drawback with a benefit.
One quality can be a drawback and the other a benefit. The construction does not force two positive or two negative judgments. 既…又… combines the cost and usefulness as coexisting qualities.
Use the distinction
- both既…and又… combines the cost and usefulness as coexisting qualities.
- One quality can be a drawback and the other a benefit. The construction does not force two positive or two negative judgments.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Sentence patterns.
An item is expensive but useful, and both qualities are acknowledged. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.