Won't Do This, Won't Do That: 这也不X，那也不Y
这/那也不X，那/这也不Y
Describe someone who is being excessively picky, difficult, or uncooperative by rejecting everything
Uses parallel structure with 这 (this) and 那 (that) to show someone refuses or rejects everything offered. X and Y can be the same verb or different verbs. The overall effect is exasperation at someone's pickiness or stubbornness.
X and Y are often the same verb (这也不吃，那也不吃) or related verbs (这也不吃，那也不喝). The pattern can describe actions (不吃, 不喝, 不做) or judgments (不合适, 不对, 不行). The 也 emphasizes "even this, even that" — nothing is acceptable.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Won't Do This, Won't Do That: 这也不X，那也不Y (这/那也不X，那/这也不Y)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 这/那也不X，那/这也不Y pattern
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Understanding 这/那也不X，那/这也不Y
This pattern is the quintessential expression for dealing with picky people. When you say 这也不吃，那也不吃, you are painting a picture of someone who rejects everything put in front of them — this one is no good, that one is no good either. The parallel structure with 这 and 那 covers the entire range of options, implying "absolutely nothing is acceptable." It is a favorite of frustrated parents dealing with picky eaters, exasperated colleagues dealing with indecisive clients, and anyone facing someone who seems impossible to please. The 也 is crucial — it means "even," making the rejection feel all-encompassing. This pattern always carries a tone of complaint or mild scolding, and it naturally leads into a consequence or rhetorical question about what the picky person actually wants.
Key Points
- 这 (this) and 那 (that) represent all available options — nothing is spared from rejection.
- 也 means "even" or "also" — emphasizing that the rejection is total.
- X and Y can be the same verb (这也不吃，那也不吃) or different but related verbs (这也不吃，那也不喝).
- The pattern always describes someone being picky, difficult, or uncooperative.
- Often followed by a consequence (结果身体越来越差) or a rhetorical question (你到底想怎样？).
- Can also use 不合适, 不行, 不对, 不满意 for judging/evaluating scenarios.
In Chinese family culture, this pattern comes up frequently around food. Parents and grandparents who grew up in times of scarcity find it particularly exasperating when children are picky eaters. The phrase 这也不吃，那也不吃 carries echoes of generational values about gratitude and not wasting food.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
这也不吃，那也不喝，结果就是身体越来越差。
Won't eat this, won't drink that — the result is her health keeps getting worse.
那也不合适，这也不对，我真的不明白她到底想怎样。
That's not suitable either, this isn't right either — I really don't understand what she actually wants.
这也不要，那也不要，你到底要什么？
You don't want this, you don't want that — what on earth do you want?
这也不行，那也不行，那你说怎么办？
This won't work, that won't work — then you tell me what to do.
这也不满意，那也不满意，真是太难伺候了。
Not satisfied with this, not satisfied with that — truly impossible to please.
这也不做，那也不做，整天就知道玩手机。
Won't do this, won't do that — all day long just playing on the phone.
Parent scolding a child
这也嫌贵，那也嫌远，最后哪儿也没去。
This one is too expensive, that one is too far — in the end, we went nowhere.
Common Mistakes
The word order must be 这/那 + 也 + 不 + verb. The 也 comes before 不, not after it.
This pattern always expresses complaint or frustration. The follow-up should describe a negative consequence or an exasperated question, not a positive outcome.
Do not drop 也 — it is essential. Without 也, the "even this, even that" emphasis is lost and the sentence sounds incomplete.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Use the same verb in both halves (这也不吃，那也不吃) for maximum emphasis on pickiness with one type of action.
Use different verbs (这也不吃，那也不喝) to show the person rejects a wider range of things.
Always follow up with either a consequence (结果...) or an exasperated question (你到底想怎样？).
This is perfect for venting — practice by describing the pickiest person you know.
Homework
Write a short monologue from the perspective of a frustrated parent, coworker, or friend dealing with an extremely picky person. Use the 这也不X，那也不Y pattern at least three times with different verbs, and end with an exasperated question or conclusion.