反而
on the contrary; instead: the opposite of what you would expect
Structure
（本来以为 A） ， 主语 反而 相反的结果
What it means
Signals the opposite of what you would expect: instead, actually. A situation should have led to one result, but the reverse happened.
How it is built
Expectation or cause, then subject + 反而 + verb or adjective: 吃了药，他的病反而更重了 (After taking the medicine he actually got worse). Common frame: 不但不／没…，反而….
When to use it
It needs an expectation to overturn. 却 marks plain contrast ('but'); 反而 says the result went the other way. 而是 corrects a wrong idea (not A but B), not a result.
Watch out
An adverb, after the subject: ✗ 反而他更累了 ✓ 他反而更累了. Not for simple contrast with no expectation: ✗ 我喜欢茶，他反而喜欢咖啡 ✓ 我喜欢茶，他却喜欢咖啡.
Examples
盘子都吃空了，主人反而会觉得没面子。
If every plate is emptied, the host actually feels a loss of face.
吃了药，他的病反而更重了。
After taking the medicine he actually got worse.
Learn this in Lesson 31 · HSK 5–6: 饭局的规矩 (The rules of the dinner table)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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