反而 fǎn’ér on the contrary
on the contrary; instead
How to remember 反而: 反 oppose + 而 and yet = on the contrary.
Characters
How it is used
- Adverb marking a result opposite to what was expected, sitting right before the verb of the second clause.
- 他不但没生气，反而笑了 (tā búdàn méi shēngqì, fǎn'ér xiàole) - he didn't get angry, but laughed instead - the classic 不但没...反而... pattern.
- Different from 相反 (xiāngfǎn), which can open a sentence as a standalone "on the contrary" transition - 反而 must attach to a clause reporting an actual surprising outcome, not introduce a general contrast.