Neither This Nor That: 非A非B
非A非B
Use the 非A非B pattern to negate two possibilities, expressing that something is neither one nor the other
A and B are typically contrasting or related nouns/adjectives. The pattern uses 非 (not; non-) to negate both, meaning "neither A nor B." It describes something that defies easy categorization.
This is a more literary and formal pattern compared to 不A不B. A and B are often antonyms or related categories (亲/故, 男/女, 驴/马). Some combinations are fixed expressions like 非亲非故 (neither relative nor friend).
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Neither This Nor That: 非A非B (非A非B)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 非A非B pattern
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Understanding 非A非B
The 非A非B pattern is an elegant way to express that something or someone does not fit into either of two expected categories. It carries a more formal and literary tone than the colloquial 不A不B. When you say 非亲非故, you mean the person is neither a relative nor an old friend — emphasizing the lack of any special relationship. When you say 非此非彼, you are saying it is neither this one nor that one. This pattern is particularly useful in formal writing, arguments, and when making precise logical distinctions. It often appears in contexts where the speaker wants to eliminate possibilities or highlight that something falls outside normal categories.
Key Points
- 非A非B means "neither A nor B," using the literary negation 非.
- It is more formal and literary than the colloquial equivalent 不A不B.
- A and B are typically antonyms, related categories, or contrasting concepts.
- Common fixed expressions include 非亲非故 (no relation whatsoever) and 非驴非马 (neither donkey nor horse = nondescript).
- The pattern often implies the subject defies categorization or expectation.
- Used in formal writing, arguments, and precise logical statements.
The character 非 has deep roots in Classical Chinese (文言文) and carries a formal, authoritative tone. The expression 非驴非马 (neither donkey nor horse) comes from historical texts and is used to describe something that is a poor imitation or an unrecognizable hybrid.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
这场悲剧的制造者非你非我，另有他人。
The one who caused this tragedy is neither you nor me — there is someone else.
Eliminates two possibilities
我们非亲非故，只是那天见过一面而已。
We are neither relatives nor old friends — we just met once that day.
Fixed expression meaning no special relationship
他做出来的东西非驴非马，谁也看不懂。
What he produced was neither one thing nor another — nobody could make sense of it.
Idiom for something nondescript or unrecognizable
这种非中非西的装修风格很有特色。
This decoration style that is neither Chinese nor Western is quite distinctive.
非公非私的模糊地带往往容易产生腐败。
Gray areas that are neither public nor private often breed corruption.
他表情怪异，非喜非怒，让人猜不透。
His expression was strange — neither happy nor angry — impossible to read.
Common Mistakes
非亲非故 is a fixed expression. While 不A不B exists as a separate pattern, 不亲不故 is not standard. Use the established 非亲非故.
When using 非A非B in a sentence, the grammar must be complete. The literary form requires proper classical structure (之过), or use the modern 既不是…也不是… pattern instead.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
非A非B is more literary than 不A不B — use it in formal contexts or when you want an elevated tone.
Many 非A非B combinations are fixed four-character expressions (成语). Memorize them as complete units.
Use this pattern when you want to precisely exclude two possibilities or categories.
In everyday conversation, 既不是A也不是B is the more natural way to say "neither A nor B."
Homework
Write three sentences using 非A非B: one with the fixed expression 非亲非故, one with 非驴非马, and one original combination that describes something that defies two common categories. Explain why you chose that particular pair of contrasting words.