Using "又...又
Describe one thing with two matching qualities using the simple Subject + 又...又... structure.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Use '又 A 又 B' to describe two qualities of one subject.
- A and B must both be positive or both be negative.
- Do not use nouns; use adjectives or verbs instead.
- No need to use '是' or '很' within this pattern.
Quick Reference
| Category | Pattern | Tone Consistency | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive Qualities | 又 [Adj] 又 [Adj] | Good + Good | 又大又红 (Big and red) |
| Negative Qualities | 又 [Adj] 又 [Adj] | Bad + Bad | 又小又旧 (Small and old) |
| Simultaneous Actions | 又 [Verb] 又 [Verb] | Action + Action | 又说又笑 (Talking and laughing) |
| Describing People | Subject 又... 又... | Consistent | 他又高又帅 (He's tall and handsome) |
| Ordering Food | 又 [Adj] 又 [Adj] | Positive | 又热又好喝 (Hot and tasty) |
| Common Error | X 又 [Noun] 又 [Noun] | Invalid | Avoid using with Nouns |
Exemples clés
3 sur 8这个西瓜又大又甜。
This watermelon is both big and sweet.
那间房子又小又旧。
That house is both small and old.
孩子们又唱又跳。
The children are both singing and dancing.
Rhythm Matters
The pattern sounds best when the two words have the same number of syllables. '又快又好' (1+1) sounds punchier than '又快又很好'.
Mood Matching
Don't mix 'happy' and 'sad' words. If you say someone is 'both smart and ugly', it sounds very awkward in Chinese. Stick to one vibe.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Use '又 A 又 B' to describe two qualities of one subject.
- A and B must both be positive or both be negative.
- Do not use nouns; use adjectives or verbs instead.
- No need to use '是' or '很' within this pattern.
Overview
Ever felt like one word just isn't enough? You want to say that coffee is hot. But you also want to say it is strong. In English, you might use "both... and...". In Chinese, we use the super useful 又...又... pattern. It lets you stack descriptions together easily. Think of it as a double-duty grammar tool. It is one of the first patterns you will learn. It makes your sentences sound much more natural. You will hear it in restaurants and markets. It is perfect for describing people you meet. It helps you express complex feelings simply. Let's dive into how it works!
How This Grammar Works
This pattern connects two qualities of the same thing. You are basically saying "Subject is A and also B." It adds more detail to your basic sentences. Instead of saying "The food is good," you say more. You say "The food is both cheap and delicious." It creates a balanced feeling in your speech. Most often, you use it with adjectives. You can also use it with some verbs. It acts like a bridge between two ideas. It tells the listener that both traits are true. It's like a grammar sandwich with 又 as the bread. Yes, even native speakers use this constantly every day. You will sound like a pro in no time.
Formation Pattern
- 1Building this sentence is very straightforward and logical.
- 2Start with your Subject (the person or thing).
- 3Add the first
又before the first quality. - 4Add the first Adjective or Verb.
- 5Add the second
又before the second quality. - 6Add the second Adjective or Verb.
- 7The basic formula looks like this: Subject +
又+ A +又+ B. - 8For example:
苹果(Apple) +又+红(red) +又+甜(sweet). - 9
苹果又红又甜(The apple is both red and sweet). - 10Notice there is no
是(is) used here. Adjectives in this pattern don't need是. This keeps your sentences short and punchy. Just like a quick text to a friend!
When To Use It
Use this when describing your lunch at a cafe. "The tea is 又 hot 又 fragrant." Use it when talking about your new apartment. "It is 又 big 又 bright." It works great for describing your boss too. "She is 又 smart 又 kind." You can use it for physical traits. "He is 又 tall 又 handsome." You can also use it for feelings. "I am 又 tired 又 hungry." Think of it like a grammar spotlight. It shines on two features at the same time. Use it when you want to be descriptive. It makes your Chinese sound much less repetitive.
When Not To Use It
Do not use this pattern with nouns. You cannot say "He is 又 a teacher 又 a father." That sounds very strange in Chinese. For nouns, you should use different grammar patterns. Also, do not mix your "vibes." This is a very important rule to remember. If the first word is positive, the second should be positive. If the first is negative, keep the second negative. It is like a grammar mood ring. Don't say "The car is 又 fast 又 expensive" (unless expensive is bad). Avoid saying "She is 又 pretty 又 mean." It confuses the listener's brain a bit. Keep the energy consistent across both words.
Common Mistakes
Many people forget to use the second 又. They say "This is 又 big, small." That is a big no-no in Chinese. You need both 又 characters for the rhythm. Another mistake is adding 很 (very) inside the pattern. You don't need 很 because 又 does the work. Don't say 又很甜又很红. Just say 又甜又红. It is cleaner and more correct. Some people try to use it with long phrases. Keep your words short for the best results. One or two characters per word is usually perfect. Don't overthink it; keep it simple and snappy. If you use it with nouns, people might giggle. Stick to adjectives and verbs for now.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
You might know the word 和 (and). 和 usually connects two nouns like "apples and oranges." 又...又... connects descriptions or actions of one thing. It is more about character than just a list. You might also see 不但...而且... (not only... but also...). That pattern is a bit more formal and heavy. Use 又...又... for casual, daily life conversations. It is lighter and faster to say. It is like the difference between a tuxedo and a t-shirt. Both are great, but use the right one. 又...又... is your everyday, comfortable t-shirt. Use it whenever you are chatting with friends.
Quick FAQ
Q. Can I use three 又 words?
A. Sometimes, but two is the standard magic number.
Q. Does it work for negative things?
A. Yes! Use it for things that are 又 old 又 broken.
Q. Can I use it with verbs?
A. Yes, like 又说又笑 (both talking and laughing).
Q. Do I need 是 (to be)?
A. No, leave 是 out when using adjectives here.
Q. Is it formal or informal?
A. It is very versatile and works everywhere.
Q. Can I use it for colors?
A. Definitely, like a shirt that is 又 black 又 white.
Q. What if the words are different lengths?
A. It sounds best if both words have the same length.
Q. Can I use it to describe myself?
A. Absolutely! You are 又 smart 又 hard-working.
Reference Table
| Category | Pattern | Tone Consistency | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive Qualities | 又 [Adj] 又 [Adj] | Good + Good | 又大又红 (Big and red) |
| Negative Qualities | 又 [Adj] 又 [Adj] | Bad + Bad | 又小又旧 (Small and old) |
| Simultaneous Actions | 又 [Verb] 又 [Verb] | Action + Action | 又说又笑 (Talking and laughing) |
| Describing People | Subject 又... 又... | Consistent | 他又高又帅 (He's tall and handsome) |
| Ordering Food | 又 [Adj] 又 [Adj] | Positive | 又热又好喝 (Hot and tasty) |
| Common Error | X 又 [Noun] 又 [Noun] | Invalid | Avoid using with Nouns |
Rhythm Matters
The pattern sounds best when the two words have the same number of syllables. '又快又好' (1+1) sounds punchier than '又快又很好'.
Mood Matching
Don't mix 'happy' and 'sad' words. If you say someone is 'both smart and ugly', it sounds very awkward in Chinese. Stick to one vibe.
Skip the 'Is'
Remember: You don't need '是' (shì) before the adjectives in this pattern. '他又高又帅' is perfect. Adding '是' makes it sound clunky.
Market Talk
When shopping, use this to negotiate or describe what you want. '我要又大又新鲜的' (I want the big and fresh ones) will make you sound very local!
Exemples
8这个西瓜又大又甜。
Focus: 又大又甜
This watermelon is both big and sweet.
A classic way to describe fruit in a market.
那间房子又小又旧。
Focus: 又小又旧
That house is both small and old.
Both qualities are negative, so the sentence is balanced.
孩子们又唱又跳。
Focus: 又唱又跳
The children are both singing and dancing.
Using verbs to show two actions happening at once.
这儿的环境又安静又舒服。
Focus: 又安静又舒服
The environment here is both quiet and comfortable.
Perfect for describing a study spot or a park.
我的妹妹又聪明又可爱。
Focus: 又聪明又可爱
My younger sister is both smart and cute.
A common way to compliment family members.
✗ 这件衣服又漂亮又不贵。 → ✓ 这件衣服又漂亮又便宜。
Focus: 又漂亮又便宜
This clothing is both pretty and cheap.
Avoid using 'not' (不) inside the pattern if a direct adjective exists.
✗ 他又老师又医生。 → ✓ 他是老师,也是医生。
Focus: 也是
He is a teacher and also a doctor.
Don't use '又...又' with nouns.
他听到这个消息,又惊又喜。
Focus: 又惊又喜
Hearing this news, he was both surprised and joyful.
Using single-character adjectives for a more literary feel.
Teste-toi
Choose the best pair to describe a delicious and affordable meal.
这家饭店的菜___...
'又好吃又便宜' combines two positive traits, which is the correct way to use this pattern.
Select the correct characters to complete the sentence about a person.
他___高___帅。
'又...又' is the standard pattern for combining two adjectives describing a person.
Identify the incorrect usage of this grammar pattern.
Which of these is WRONG?
You cannot use '又...又' with nouns like 'student' (学生).
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Positive vs Negative Balance
Can I use 又...又...?
Are you describing one person or thing?
Are the words adjectives or verbs?
Are both words positive or both negative?
Use '又 A 又 B'!
Common Word Pairs
Fruit
- • 又大又圆
- • 又红又甜
Feelings
- • 又渴又累
- • 又惊又喜
Questions fréquentes
22 questionsIt means 'both... and...' used to describe two traits of one thing. For example, 又大又红 means both big and red.
No, it connects descriptions, not nouns. Use 和 if you want to say 'Me and you'.
Yes, it works with simultaneous actions. An example is 又说又笑, which means talking and laughing at the same time.
No, do not use 很 inside this pattern. 又 already provides the necessary emphasis for the description.
It is better to say 又美又便宜. Using 不 (not) inside the pattern is generally avoided by native speakers.
It ruins the semantic balance of the sentence. Chinese listeners expect the 'flavor' of both words to match, whether good or bad.
You can, but it is rare and mostly used for emphasis. For A1 level, sticking to two is the safest and most natural way.
The subject always goes at the very beginning. For example, 老师又年轻又漂亮 (The teacher is young and pretty).
Yes, it is great for colors. A shirt can be 又黑又亮 (both black and shiny).
In writing, there are no spaces in Chinese. Just write them side by side like 又高又帅.
不但...而且... is more formal and used for progression. 又...又... is for simple, simultaneous qualities in daily speech.
No, the pattern is strictly for adjectives and verbs. For nouns, you would say 他是老师,也是作家.
Yes, it is the 4th tone (falling). Say it clearly and quickly: yòu.
It might sound a bit 'unbalanced' to a native ear. Try to use words with the same number of characters if possible.
Absolutely! Today can be 又冷又雨 (cold and rainy), though we usually say 又冷又下雨.
Yes, the pattern specifically requires the repetition of 又 twice to work correctly.
Yes, you can ask 他是不是又高又帅? (Is he both tall and handsome?).
Yes, to describe products. For example, a phone can be 又薄又轻 (thin and light).
Many try to put 和 (and) in the middle. Don't say 又大和又红; just use the two 又 words.
Not at all! It is a fundamental part of adult speech and very efficient for describing things.
This pattern cannot mean 'but'. It only means 'and also'. Use 但是 for 'but'.
Yes, food is often 又辣又香 (spicy and fragrant). It is very common in cooking shows!
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