反而

• 拼音: fǎn ér
• 汉字拆解: 反 = a hand turning over (indicating reversal); 而 = classical conjunction — together meaning 'contrarily'

含义

On the contrary; instead; contrary to expectation. Used to indicate that the result is the opposite of what was expected.

An adverb that introduces an unexpected or contrary outcome. It signals that what actually happened is the opposite of what one would logically expect. Often paired with 不但不…反而… (not only didn't… but instead…) or 没有…反而… (didn't… but instead…) patterns.

例句

1. 吃了药以后，他的病反而更严重了。
2. 我越解释，她反而越生气。
3. 这次考试没复习，成绩反而比上次好。

用法指南

语境: everyday, written, argumentation

语气: emphatic

正确说法

• 下了雨，天气反而更热了。(It rained, but the weather got even hotter instead.)
• 他不但没道歉，反而怪我。(He not only didn't apologize, but blamed me instead.)

错误说法

• 我很累，反而去睡觉了 (Don't use 反而 for expected outcomes — sleeping when tired is logical; use 所以 or 就 instead)

起源与历史

A compound of 反 (opposite/contrary) and 而 (conjunction particle), literally meaning 'contrarily' or 'on the opposite side.'

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal