Both...And: 既...又/也...
既……，又/也……
Express that something has two qualities or someone does two things simultaneously using 既...又/也...
Place 既 before the first quality or action and 又 or 也 before the second. Both qualities or actions apply to the same subject at the same time. 又 and 也 are interchangeable in this pattern.
既 must always come first; you cannot reverse the order (又……既…… is wrong). A and B should be parallel — both adjectives, both verbs, or both verb phrases. 又 is slightly more common than 也 in this pattern, but both are correct.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Both...And: 既...又/也... (既……，又/也……)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 既……，又/也…… pattern
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Understanding 既……，又/也……
When you want to say someone or something has two positive (or two negative) qualities at the same time, 既……又/也…… is the pattern you need. Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of "both...and..." in English. 这件衣服既好看，又暖和 means "This piece of clothing is both good-looking and warm." The pattern highlights that two qualities coexist, often creating a sense of completeness or balance. You can use it for abilities: 他既会学习，又会玩儿 (He is good at both studying and having fun). You can use it for identities: 他既是我们的老师，也是我们的朋友 (He is both our teacher and our friend). The key is that both A and B must be true of the same subject. This pattern is very common in descriptions, evaluations, and character assessments.
Key Points
- 既 (jì) marks the first quality; 又 (yòu) or 也 (yě) marks the second.
- 又 and 也 are interchangeable here, but 又 is slightly more common.
- A and B must be parallel: both adjectives, both verb phrases, or both 是 phrases.
- Both qualities must apply to the same subject simultaneously.
- Often used for positive descriptions, but can describe negative qualities too: 既贵又不好看.
- Cannot be used for sequential events — both qualities must be simultaneous.
- 既 cannot be replaced by 也 or 又 in the first position.
Chinese culture appreciates balance and completeness — the concept of 两全其美 (having the best of both worlds). The 既……又…… pattern naturally expresses this cultural ideal, which is why it appears frequently in proverbs, compliments, and product advertisements.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
这件新衣服既好看，又暖和。
This new piece of clothing is both good-looking and warm.
他既会学习，又会玩儿。
He is good at both studying and having fun.
他既是我们的老师，也是我们的朋友。
He is both our teacher and our friend.
这家餐厅既便宜，又好吃。
This restaurant is both cheap and delicious.
她既聪明，又努力。
She is both smart and hardworking.
这个方法既简单，又有效。
This method is both simple and effective.
北京既是中国的首都，也是文化中心。
Beijing is both China's capital and its cultural center.
Common Mistakes
既 must always come first. The order is fixed: 既 A，又/也 B. You cannot swap them.
既……又…… describes simultaneous qualities, not sequential events. For past experiences, use 去过 (have been to) to express simultaneous experience, or use 先……又…… for sequential actions.
既 appears only once — before the first quality. Do not repeat it before the second quality.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Use 既……又 for adjective pairs and 既……也 for 是 pairs — but both are acceptable in either case.
This pattern is perfect for giving compliments: 你既聪明又勤奋！
Practice by describing your favorite restaurant, city, or friend with two qualities.
Remember: 既 is always first, like the "both" in English "both...and..."
Homework
Describe five people, places, or things using 既……又/也……. Try to use a mix of adjective pairs and 是 pairs. Example: 我的室友既安静，又整洁.