jìfēi...yìfēi...
neither ... nor ... (既非……亦非……)
既非……亦非…… means "neither ... nor ...". Use 既非 A,亦非 B to deny both category A and category B in a formal way.
Anchor example
这既非偶然,亦非个人失误。
Zhè jìfēi ǒurán, yìfēi gèrén shīwù.
This is neither accidental nor an individual mistake.
HSK 7
HSK 7
1
1 structures
20
20 exercises
Lesson summary
Notice how 既非 / 亦非 works in: 这既非偶然,亦非个人失误。
既非……亦非…… means "neither ... nor ..." and follows the frame 既非 A,亦非 B. Use it when you need to deny both category A and category B in a formal way. These patterns are mainly used in formal argumentation, reports, essays, and analytical discussion. Keep the fixed parts complete, especially paired elements such as 不在于/而在于, 与其/不如, 宁可/也绝不, 不但没有/反而, 既非/亦非, and 所能/所致. Do not use them as loose translations; first identify whether the sentence is long-term evaluation, causal analysis, correction of focus, firm choice, contrast, insufficiency, urgency, or literary evaluation.
Grammar pattern
既非 A,亦非 B
deny both category A and category B in a formal way
学习既非一日之功,亦非单靠天赋。
Xuéxí jìfēi yí rì zhī gōng, yìfēi dān kào tiānfù.
Learning is neither a one-day effort nor something relying only on talent.
问题既非技术不足,亦非资金不够。
Wèntí jìfēi jìshù bùzú, yìfēi zījīn bú gòu.
The problem is neither insufficient technology nor lack of funds.
Fill in the blank:
Chénggōng jìfēi yùnqi, yìfēi ǒurán.
Success is neither luck nor accident.