HSK 6
不⋯⋯不⋯⋯
bù ⋯ ⋯ bù ⋯ ⋯
The structure without... without...
Explanation
不⋯⋯不⋯⋯ is a contracted compound sentence (紧缩复句 jǐnsuō fùjù = a compound sentence that compresses two clauses tightly together, omitting the connecting word) expressing a conditional relationship: if you don't have/don't do the first thing, you won't have the second thing.
不 (bù, not) + A, 不 (bù) + B, meaning "if not A, then not B" (only when A happens does B occur). For example: 不打不成交 = without a clash you don't become friends; 不达标准不休息 = if you haven't met the standard, you don't rest.
when you want to say that a result B is obtained only under condition A, often carrying a nuance of affirming a rule or a resolve. Many such sentences are proverbs and idioms (不打不相识, 不见不散).
it differs from the form 不X不⋯⋯，一X⋯⋯ (such as 不问不知道，一问…) in that that form emphasizes the surprise upon experiencing something; whereas 不…不… simply emphasizes the conditional relationship "without this, there is no that".
do not interpret 不…不… as a double negative "not... not..." in the Vietnamese way (which would come out as an affirmation). This is a fixed conditional structure; the two 不 do not cancel each other out.
Examples
You two really are a case of 'no fight, no friendship' (without a clash you don't grow close).
As for housing prices here, you wouldn't know without asking, and the moment you ask you get a shock.
She has been practicing nonstop today; until she meets the standard she won't rest.
Practice
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Learn “不⋯⋯不⋯⋯” effectively
The grammar point “不⋯⋯不⋯⋯” (The structure without... without...) 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.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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