Since 反而反而 fǎn’ér is an adverb, not a conjunction, it can’t link two clauses on its own — it sits after the subject (if there is one) and before the verb in the second clause.
1 Structure
Clause A + S + 反而反而 fǎn’ér + Clause B
Clause A presents an expectation or assumption, while Clause B presents a contrasting result that goes against it.
我以為他會生氣，結果他反而很開心我以为他会生气，结果他反而很开心
I thought he would be angry, but instead he was very happy.
我運動後沒有覺得比較有精神，反而累到只想睡覺我运动后没有觉得比较有精神，反而累到只想睡觉
I don’t feel more energetic after exercising — instead, I’m so tired that I just want to sleep.
朋友下定決心要減肥，可是三個月後反而胖了5公斤朋友下定决心要减肥，可是三个月后反而胖了5公斤
My friend was determined to lose weight, but three months later she gained 5 kg instead.
沒想到交了女朋友後，他的成績反而更好了没想到交了女朋友后，他的成绩反而更好了
I didn’t expect his grades to get better after he got a girlfriend.
2 Common Mistakes
反而反而 fǎn’ér needs to go after the subject, not before it.
❌
沒想到交了女朋友後，反而他的成績更好了没想到交了女朋友后，反而他的成绩更好了
✅
沒想到交了女朋友後，他的成績反而更好了没想到交了女朋友后，他的成绩反而更好了
反而 fǎn’ér goes after the subject (他的成績成绩) and before the verb — not at the front of the clause, before the subject.
Note
That said, some native speakers do say it in the other order in casual speech — but the subject-first order above is the one to learn and rely on.
S + 不但／不僅不仅 + 不 or 沒没…… , 反而 fǎn’ér + Unexpected Outcome
Another common structure for expressing this kind of contrast, often translated as “not only… but instead…”. 不但不但 búdàn is a conjunction that introduces the first clause and signals that something unexpected happens in the second. 不僅不仅 bùjǐn is a more formal conjunction that works the same way and is interchangeable with 不但 búdàn.
他不但沒做完作業，反而玩了一個晚上的遊戲他不但没做完作业，反而玩了一个晚上的游戏
Not only did he not finish his homework, but he also played games all night instead.
我幫了他，他不但沒說謝謝，反而還對我生氣我帮了他，他不但没说谢谢，反而还对我生气
I helped him. Not only did he not say thank you, but he instead got angry with me.
王先生不僅不還我之前借的錢，反而想跟我借更多錢王先生不仅不还我之前借的钱，反而想跟我借更多钱
Mr. Wang not only didn’t return the money I lent him before, but instead wanted to borrow even more from me.
發生問題時，政府不僅不想辦法解決，反而還怪人民发生问题时，政府不仅不想办法解决，反而还怪人民
When problems occur, the government not only doesn’t try to solve them, but instead blames the people.
3 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01I thought this movie would be boring, but instead it turned out great.
我以為這部電影會很無聊，結果反而很好看我以为这部电影会很无聊，结果反而很好看
👆 Tap to reveal
02He stayed up late studying, but his grades got worse instead.
他熬夜念書，成績反而變差了他熬夜念书，成绩反而变差了
👆 Tap to reveal
03The forecast said it would rain, but instead the sun came out.
天氣預報說會下雨，結果反而出太陽了天气预报说会下雨，结果反而出太阳了
👆 Tap to reveal
04I reminded him to be careful, but instead he got even more nervous.
我提醒他小心一點，他反而更緊張了我提醒他小心一点，他反而更紧张了
👆 Tap to reveal
05After the company laid off staff, the workload actually increased instead.
公司裁員後，工作量反而變多了公司裁员后，工作量反而变多了
👆 Tap to reveal
06Not only did he not apologize, he instead blamed me for overreacting.
他不但沒有道歉，反而怪我小題大作他不但没有道歉，反而怪我小题大作
👆 Tap to reveal
07Not only did she not rest, she instead worked overtime until midnight.
她不僅沒有休息，反而加班到半夜她不仅没有休息，反而加班到半夜
👆 Tap to reveal
08I originally wanted to comfort her, but unexpectedly she ended up comforting me instead.
我原本想安慰她，沒想到她反而安慰起我來了我原本想安慰她，没想到她反而安慰起我来了
👆 Tap to reveal
09Not only did he not lose weight, he actually gained three kilograms instead.
他不但沒有變瘦，反而胖了三公斤他不但没有变瘦，反而胖了三公斤
👆 Tap to reveal
10After hearing my suggestion, the boss wasn’t angry at all — instead, he praised me.
老闆聽了我的建議，不僅沒有生氣，反而稱讚了我老板听了我的建议，不仅没有生气，反而称赞了我
👆 Tap to reveal
