越是…，越…
the more … (a situation is), the more …; all the more when …
Structure
越是 情况 ， （主语）＋ 越 ＋ 做法／结果
What it means
“The more … a situation is, the more …”: the result follows all the more, often precisely when you might expect the opposite.
How it is built
越是 + situation or degree, (subject) + 越 + 要/应该/容易/能 or adjective: 越是忙的时候，越容易出错 (The busier you are, the easier it is to slip up).
When to use it
Suits advice and general truths: 越是累，越要注意安全. Plain 越A越B can also join a verb to its own growth (雨越下越大); 越是 cannot.
Watch out
Keep 越 in the second half: ✗越是危急，要沉住气 ✓越是危急，越要沉住气. And ✗雨越是下越大 ✓雨越下越大.
Examples
越是忙的时候，越容易出错。
The busier you are, the easier it is to make mistakes.
越是小事，越能看出一个人的为人。
It is in the small things that you see what someone is really like.
越是名气大的医院，排队的人越多。
The better known the hospital, the longer the queues.
Learn this in Lesson 154 · HSK 7–9: 拨打120 (Calling 120)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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