A…，B 则…
B, for its part, …: the written contrast marker
Structure
A … ， B 则 …
What it means
Sets B against A: “while B, for its part, …”. A written way to contrast two subjects side by side.
How it is built
Clause A，subject B + 则 + predicate: 哥哥喜欢安静，弟弟则爱热闹 (The elder brother likes quiet, while the younger loves bustle).
When to use it
Use it in writing to contrast two parties or cases. 而 does the same job but sits before the second subject (而弟弟爱热闹); 则 sits after it. Everyday speech usually drops the marker or uses 可是.
Watch out
Word order: ✗ 则弟弟爱热闹 ✓ 弟弟则爱热闹. In this contrast, 则 follows the subject. Its other uses: 若…则… (if … then) and 一则…二则… (for one thing … for another).
Examples
儒家主张道德，法家则主张法律。
The Confucians advocate virtue; the Legalists, for their part, advocate law.
哥哥喜欢安静，弟弟则爱热闹。
The elder brother likes quiet, while the younger loves bustle.
Learn this in Lesson 79 · HSK 6–7: 儒家、道家与法家 (Confucians, Daoists and Legalists)
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 →