则 (while / whereas — formal contrast)
Two brothers, one elegant pivot
- Clause 1，(literary) (conjunction…则 + Clause 2 = "…, while / whereas …" — a formal contrast.
- older brother哥哥to love爱to move运动，younger brother弟弟(literary) (conjunction…则to love爱to read a book读书 = "the older brother loves sports, while the younger loves reading."
- (literary) (conjunction…则 sits before the verb in the contrasting clause.
Clause 1，Subj + (literary) (conjunction…则 + …
- (literary) (conjunction…则 marks a neat, balanced contrast (written register).
older brother哥哥love爱sports运动，younger brother弟弟while则love爱reading读书。
- younger brother弟弟(literary) (conjunction…则to love爱to read a book读书 = "the younger brother, while, loves reading."
Explore
Correct or broken?
则 pivots the second clause into formal contrast — the south is rainy; the north, dry.
Practice
…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.
Practice
则 marks a formal, written-style contrast.
Yes — “…, while / whereas …”.
Recap
Key idea
- Clause 1，Subj + (literary) (conjunction…则 + … — "…, while / whereas …" (formal)
- older brother哥哥to love爱to move运动，younger brother弟弟(literary) (conjunction…则to love爱to read a book读书
- (literary) (conjunction…则 goes before the verb in the contrasting clause
Read the full reference: HSK 6 grammar — Conjunctions.
Practice
Where does 则 go?
弟弟则爱读书 — 则 sits before the verb.