既...又/也...: Both...and... in Chinese
既…又/也…
既...又/也... coordinates two qualities, identities, abilities, or actions that are both true of the same topic. 既 introduces the first predicate and 又 or 也 introduces the parallel second predicate. Each marker must lead into its own predicate; neither marker by itself supplies the missing content.
Published July 22, 2026
Reviewed July 22, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Subject + 既 + Predicate 1 + 又/也 + Predicate 2
Read the structure
既...又/也... coordinates two qualities, identities, abilities, or actions that are both true of the same topic. 既 introduces the first predicate and 又 or 也 introduces the parallel second predicate. Each marker must lead into its own predicate; neither marker by itself supplies the missing content. Keep the model Subject + 既 + Predicate 1 + 又/也 + Predicate 2 visible while you compare each sentence.
这件衣服既好看，又暖和。
This item of clothing is both attractive and warm.
Choose the right context
To coordinate two qualities of one topic: 这件衣服既好看又暖和。 To state two abilities or actions that both apply: 他既会唱歌，也会跳舞。 To coordinate two identities with 是 repeated in both predicates: 她既是老师，也是作家。
他既会学习，又会玩儿。
He knows both how to study and how to have fun.
Respect the boundary
Do not stack 既 and 又 before one unfinished predicate; each marker introduces its own predicate. Do not omit the content after 又 or 也, because the second coordinated predicate must be complete. Do not reject the pattern merely because the two qualities feel different; coexisting states such as 既高兴又紧张 are possible.
这件衣服既又好看暖和。
(This item of clothing both and attractive warm.)
Repair the pattern
The two markers are stacked before one predicate: 既 must introduce the first predicate 好看, and 又 must introduce the second predicate 暖和. Stacking both markers leaves the coordinated structure incomplete. The second coordinated predicate is missing: 又 introduces a second point but cannot stand alone here. A complete second predicate such as 会跳舞 must follow it.
这件衣服既好看，又暖和。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
这件衣服既好看，又暖和。
This item of clothing is both attractive and warm.
这
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
件
既
This part occupies the 既 position in the model pattern.
衣服
Predicate 1
This part occupies the Predicate 1 position in the model pattern.
既
又/也
This part occupies the 又/也 position in the model pattern.
好看
Predicate 2
This part occupies the Predicate 2 position in the model pattern.
，
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
又
既
This part occupies the 既 position in the model pattern.
暖和
Predicate 1
This part occupies the Predicate 1 position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
这件衣服既好看，又暖和。
This item of clothing is both attractive and warm.
他既会学习，又会玩儿。
He knows both how to study and how to have fun.
她既是我的老师，也是我的朋友。
She is both my teacher and my friend.
这个办法既简单又有效。
This method is both simple and effective.
她既高兴又紧张。
She is both happy and nervous.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- To coordinate two qualities of one topic: 这件衣服既好看又暖和。
- To state two abilities or actions that both apply: 他既会唱歌，也会跳舞。
- To coordinate two identities with 是 repeated in both predicates: 她既是老师，也是作家。
Do not use it when
- Do not stack 既 and 又 before one unfinished predicate; each marker introduces its own predicate.
- Do not omit the content after 又 or 也, because the second coordinated predicate must be complete.
- Do not reject the pattern merely because the two qualities feel different; coexisting states such as 既高兴又紧张 are possible.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
这件衣服既又好看暖和。
这件衣服既好看，又暖和。
The two markers are stacked before one predicate
既 must introduce the first predicate 好看, and 又 must introduce the second predicate 暖和. Stacking both markers leaves the coordinated structure incomplete.
他既会唱歌，又。
他既会唱歌，又会跳舞。
The second coordinated predicate is missing
又 introduces a second point but cannot stand alone here. A complete second predicate such as 会跳舞 must follow it.
这件衣服既又好看暖和。
Put each marker before its own predicate: 既好看，又暖和。
他既会唱歌，又。
Complete the predicate introduced by 又, for example 又会跳舞。
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 既…又/也….
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 既…又/也…. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
既...又/也...: Both...and... Questions
Can 也 replace 又 in 既...又...?
Yes. Both 既...又... and 既...也... can coordinate two points. Keep the second marker before the predicate it introduces, as in 既是老师，也是朋友。
Can 既...又... connect opposite feelings?
Yes, if both feelings genuinely coexist. A sentence such as 她既高兴又紧张 describes two simultaneous properties and is not structurally wrong.
What is the difference between 既...又... and 不仅...而且...?
既...又... presents two coordinated facts on a relatively equal footing. 不仅...而且... commonly adds a second point with additive emphasis or progression.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 4 grammar inventory, item 44
Supports placement of 既……又/也…… in the HSK 4 directory.
Official source教案之‘既……又……’复合关联词
李颖 · 中央民族大学 · 2020
Locator: Sections 9(2) and 9(4), pages 1-3
Supports coordinating two adjective or verb phrases and the Subject + 既 + Predicate 1 + 又 + Predicate 2 form.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
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不仅/不光…还/而且…不仅...而且... (bùjǐn...érqiě)
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一方面…另一方面…一方面...另一方面...: Two Aspects
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形容词谓语句Adjective Predicate Sentence
Build direct adjective predicates before coordinating two qualities with 既 and 又.
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Use the 也 alternative after 既 while keeping 也 before its predicate.
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