又…又…: both X and Y
The 又…又… pattern joins two qualities or two actions that are true at the same time, meaning both X and Y. It can link two adjectives, as in 又好吃又便宜, or two verb phrases, as in 又唱歌又跳舞.
Meaning: BOTH X AND Y at the same time (two simultaneous qualities or ongoing actions).
Pattern 1 — Two adjectives:
> 这道菜又好吃又便宜。(This dish is both delicious and cheap.)
Pattern 2 — Two verb phrases:
> 她又唱歌又跳舞。(She both sings and dances.)
Pattern 3 — Negative:
> 他做事又慢又不认真。(He works both slowly and carelessly.)
Constraint: The two elements must be PARALLEL (both adj, both VP, or both negative).
Compare:
- 既…又… = similar, but slightly more formal/literary
- 一边…一边… = doing two ongoing actions simultaneously
- 不但…而且… = not only X but also Y (additive, stronger)
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 今天的天气又热又湿，出门真的很不舒服。 | Jīn tiān de tiān qì yòu rè yòu shī, chū mén zhēn de hěn bù shū fu. | Today's weather is both hot and humid — going out is really uncomfortable. | Two parallel adjectives: 又热 + 又湿 (hot and humid simultaneously) |
| 他的孩子又聪明又勤奋，学什么都学得很快。 | Tā de hái zi yòu cōng ming yòu qín fèn, xué shén me dōu xué de hěn kuài. | His child is both smart and hardworking — learns everything quickly. | Two positive adjectives. 勤奋 = hardworking/diligent. The comment (学什么都学得很快) supports the evaluation. |
| 这家店的服务又差又贵，以后我不去了。 | Zhè jiā diàn de fú wù yòu chà yòu guì, yǐ hòu wǒ bú qù le. | This store's service is both bad and expensive — I won't go anymore. | Two negative adjectives: 又差 + 又贵. 以后不…了 = won't… anymore. |
Word by word
Each word in this pattern on its own: what it does here, the structure, three more examples, and the mistake to avoid.
又…又… (yòu…yòu)
Joins two qualities or actions that are true at the same time.
Structure: 又 + adjective/verb + 又 + adjective/verb
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 这件衣服又大又旧，我不想穿。 | Zhè jiàn yī fu yòu dà yòu jiù, wǒ bù xiǎng chuān. | This coat is big and old, and I do not want to wear it. |
| 孩子们又唱又跳，玩得很开心。 | Hái zi men yòu chàng yòu tiào, wán de hěn kāi xīn. | The children sang and danced and had a great time. |
| 这个房间又干净又安静，我很喜欢。 | Zhè gè fáng jiān yòu gān jìng yòu ān jìng, wǒ hěn xǐ huan. | This room is clean and quiet, and I like it. |
Not: 他又高又很帅。 Keep the two halves parallel and do not add 很 to one of them: 他又高又帅.
What this opens up
These patterns list 又…又… among their own prerequisites, so they become readable once this one holds.
Questions about 又…又…
What does 又…又… mean in Chinese?
The 又…又… pattern joins two qualities or two actions that are true at the same time, meaning both X and Y. It can link two adjectives, as in 又好吃又便宜, or two verb phrases, as in 又唱歌又跳舞. It is an HSK 4 grammar point.
How do you use 又…又… in a sentence?
今天的天气又热又湿，出门真的很不舒服。 — Jīn tiān de tiān qì yòu rè yòu shī, chū mén zhēn de hěn bù shū fu. — Today's weather is both hot and humid — going out is really uncomfortable. Two parallel adjectives: 又热 + 又湿 (hot and humid simultaneously).
Where does 又…又… come in the HSK sequence?
HSK 4, and none of its prerequisites are grammar points — nothing else on this reference has to come first, so you can start here.
What does 又…又… lead to?
Coordinate and Sequential Compound Sentences (HSK 6). Each of them names 又…又… among its own prerequisites.
Can 又…又… join a good quality with a bad one?
Yes, it just adds both: 这个包又贵又不好看. The halves should be the same kind of word, two adjectives or two verbs.
Does 又…又… need 很?
No. Do not add 很 inside the pattern. Say 她又聪明又努力, not 她又很聪明又很努力.
又…又… is one topic of 829. GraphChinese teaches them in prerequisite order, so this pattern reaches you on the day everything it rests on is proven. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
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