并非

• Pinyin: bìng fēi
• Hanzi breakdown: 并 = originally depicted two people standing together, meaning 'also' or 'actually'; 非 = depicts two wings facing opposite directions, meaning 'not' or 'wrong'

Meaning

Actually not; by no means; it is not the case that. A formal negation emphasizing correction of a misconception.

More emphatic and literary than 不是. Used to correct assumptions, challenge misconceptions, or make nuanced distinctions. Common in academic writing, formal speeches, and argumentative discourse.

Examples

1. 成功并非一蹴而就，需要长期的坚持和努力。 Success is by no means achieved overnight — it requires long-term persistence and effort.
2. 这项政策并非针对某一群体，而是面向全社会。 This policy is not targeted at any particular group, but rather addresses society as a whole.
3. 他的沉默并非代表同意，只是不想当众争论。 His silence does not mean agreement — he just doesn't want to argue publicly.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, argumentative, clarification

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 事实并非如此简单。(The facts are by no means so simple.)
• 他并非不想帮忙，只是实在抽不出时间。(It's not that he doesn't want to help — he simply can't spare the time.)

Don't Say

• 这个菜并非好吃。(For simple statements, use 不好吃 — 并非 is for correcting misconceptions, not basic descriptions)

Origin & History

并 (actually, together) + 非 (not, wrong). A literary compound for emphatic negation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated