X（也）不是，不X也不是
damned if you do and damned if you don’t; stuck either way
Structure
动词 （也）不是 ， 不 动词 也不是
What it means
Stuck either way: doing X is wrong and not doing X is wrong too. It paints a bind with no good choice.
How it is built
Verb + (也)不是 + ， + 不 + verb + 也不是: 他站在门口，进也不是，不进也不是 (he stood at the door, unable to decide whether to go in). X is usually a short verb: 说, 走, 进, 留, 答应.
When to use it
Spoken and vivid; often leads to 只好 or 真不知道怎么办. With two different verbs: 哭也不是，笑也不是 (哭笑不得). Formal writing says 左右为难 or 进退两难 (3-13).
Watch out
Keep 也 in the second half: ✗说也不是，不说不是 ✓说也不是，不说也不是.
Examples
说也不是，不说也不是，他只好天天借酒浇愁。
He could neither tell her nor keep silent, so he drowned his sorrows day after day.
他站在门口，进也不是，不进也不是。
He stood at the door, unable to decide whether to go in or not.
朋友开口借钱，借也不是，不借也不是。
When a friend asks to borrow money, you are stuck whether you lend it or not.
Learn this in Lesson 226 · HSK 9+: 家书 (Letters home)
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.
Open the lesson →