反而 (on the contrary / instead)
IntroducedName the expectation that was reversed
- A promised explanation made a problem more confusing.
- he / him他explanation解释back后，I / me我instead反而more更not不clear明白(completed / change)了。 — The result is the reverse of the expected increase in understanding.
A promised explanation made a problem more confusing. What does 他解释后，我反而更不明白了。 communicate?
The result is the reverse of the expected increase in understanding. Identify the expectation before translating 反而. The result need not be objectively bad in every example; reversal is the key relation.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is instead反而 (on the contrary / instead). 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.
take吃了medicine药，instead反而more更unwell难受。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: Took the medicine, but felt worse instead: 吃了药，____ 更难受。
… ，反而 … = on the contrary: 吃了药,反而更难受.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, he / him他explanation解释back后，I / me我instead反而more更not不clear明白(completed / change)了。: The result is the reverse of the expected increase in understanding.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
反而 marks the result as…
反而 = a surprising reversal.
Know the boundary
- Identify the expectation before translating instead反而.
- The result need not be objectively bad in every example; reversal is the key relation.
In 反而更难受, 反而 precedes the adjective phrase 更难受.
It marks a reversal of the expected improvement. 更难受 is an adjective predicate, not an action verb.
In the opening situation: The result is the reverse of the expected increase in understanding.
Identify the expectation before translating 反而. The result need not be objectively bad in every example; reversal is the key relation. The result is the reverse of the expected increase in understanding.
Use the distinction
- The result is the reverse of the expected increase in understanding.
- Identify the expectation before translating instead反而. The result need not be objectively bad in every example; reversal is the key relation.
Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — "But" statements.
A promised explanation made a problem more confusing. 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.