Learning to Express "Neither Nor" in Chinese
When learning Chinese, it’s essential to master various sentence structures and phrases to communicate effectively. One such phrase is “neither nor,” which can be expressed in several ways in Chinese. In this article, we’ll explore six ways to say “neither nor” in Chinese, along with examples and explanations.
1. 都不 (dōu bù) - Both Not
This is a common way to express “neither nor” in Chinese. The phrase “都不” (dōu bù) literally means “both not,” and it’s often used in sentences to indicate that two options are not applicable.
Example: 我都不喜欢吃蔬菜，也都不喜欢吃肉。 (Wǒ dōu bù xǐ huān chī shū cài, yě dōu bù xǐ huān chī ròu.) I neither like to eat vegetables nor meat.
2.也不 (yě bù) - Also Not
This phrase is similar to “都不” (dōu bù), but it’s used to indicate that one option is not applicable, and then another option is also not applicable.
Example: 我不喜欢吃蔬菜，也不喜欢吃肉。 (Wǒ bù xǐ huān chī shū cài, yě bù xǐ huān chī ròu.) I don’t like to eat vegetables, nor do I like to eat meat.
3. 或者都不 (huò zhě dōu bù) - Either Not or Not
This phrase is used to indicate that neither of the two options is applicable.
Example: 我或者都不喜欢吃蔬菜，也不喜欢吃肉。 (Wǒ huò zhě dōu bù xǐ huān chī shū cài, yě bù xǐ huān chī ròu.) I neither like to eat vegetables nor meat.
4. 都不是 (dōu bù shì) - Both Are Not
This phrase is used to indicate that neither of the two options is correct or applicable.
Example: 这两个人都不是我想要的朋友。 (Zhè liǎng gè rén dōu bù shì wǒ xiǎng yào de pēng yǒu.) Neither of these two people is the friend I want.
5.不管是...还是...都 (bù guǎn shì... hái shì... dōu) - Regardless of Whether... or...
This phrase is used to indicate that regardless of which option is chosen, the result is the same.
Example: 不管是去吃蔬菜还是去吃肉，都不符合我的饮食习惯。 (Bù guǎn shì qù chī shū cài hái shì qù chī ròu, dōu bù fú hé wǒ de yǐn shí xí guàn.) Regardless of whether I go to eat vegetables or go to eat meat, neither option conforms to my dietary habits.
6.无论是...还是... (wú lùn shì... hái shì...) - Regardless of Whether... or...
This phrase is similar to “不管是…还是…” (bù guǎn shì… hái shì…), but it’s more formal and commonly used in writing.
Example: 无论是去吃蔬菜还是去吃肉，我都不感兴趣。 (Wú lùn shì qù chī shū cài hái shì qù chī ròu, wǒ dōu bù gǎn xìng qù.) Regardless of whether I go to eat vegetables or go to eat meat, I’m not interested in either option.
In conclusion, mastering the different ways to express “neither nor” in Chinese can help you communicate more effectively and accurately convey your thoughts and opinions.
What is the difference between “都不” (dōu bù) and “也不” (yě bù)?
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“都不” (dōu bù) is used to indicate that two options are not applicable, while “也不” (yě bù) is used to indicate that one option is not applicable, and then another option is also not applicable.
When should I use “或者都不” (huò zhě dōu bù)?
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“或者都不” (huò zhě dōu bù) is used to indicate that neither of the two options is applicable. It’s often used in formal writing or in situations where you want to emphasize that neither option is acceptable.
Can I use “无论是…还是…” (wú lùn shì… hái shì…) in informal conversations?
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While it’s possible to use “无论是…还是…” (wú lùn shì… hái shì…) in informal conversations, it’s more commonly used in formal writing or in situations where you want to sound more formal or polite.
Related Terms:
- neither nor in chinese
