HSK 6
这/那也不X，那/这也不Y
zhè / nà yě bù X ， nà / zhè yě bù Y
The structure "this one isn't X either, that one isn't Y either"
Explanation
这/那也不X，那/这也不Y (zhè/nà yě bù X, nà/zhè yě bù Y) is a colloquial pattern (everyday way of speaking) using the pair 这 (zhè = this) and 那 (nà = that) to list and complain that everything is criticized, nothing is acceptable.
这也不 + X，那也不 + Y (the order of 这/那 can be swapped). X and Y are verbs or adjectives (吃 chī = eat, 喝 hē = drink, 合适 héshì = suitable, 对 duì = right). 也 (yě = also) and 不 (bù = not) are repeated in both halves.
Used to complain and express annoyance because someone is too picky and fussy, dissatisfied with everything. Meaning: 'this won't do, that won't do either.'
Vietnamese learners often drop the character 也 (yě) in one half, but this pattern needs 也...也... in both halves to have the right rhythm; and they often misplace 不, which must be 也不 + verb/adjective.
Examples
This they won't eat, that they won't drink either — the result is that their health gets worse and worse.
That's not suitable, this isn't right either — I really don't understand what on earth she wants.
Practice
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Learn “这/那也不X，那/这也不Y” effectively
The grammar point “这/那也不X，那/这也不Y” (The structure "this one isn't X either, that one isn't Y either") is one of the key structures at HSK 6. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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