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LEARN + CHINESE / 234 of 300 HSK 6

Back and Forth, Neither One Nor the Other X来X去

Notice whether the speaker is repeating an action, accepting that something cannot be changed, or rejecting both alternatives. Each frame signals a different response.

Turning It Over in Your Mind

X来X去 describes repeating an action or thought from different angles before reaching a result.

我想来想去，还是决定去一趟。
Wǒ xiǎng lái xiǎng qù, háishi juédìng qù yí tàng.
After thinking it over, I decided to go after all.

Accepting What Has Happened

X了就X了 accepts a completed event instead of arguing about it. The next clause often says what to do now.

错了就错了，以后改正就是了。
Cuò le jiù cuò le, yǐhòu gǎizhèng jiù shì le.
If it was wrong, it was wrong; just correct it next time.

Rejecting Both Options

这也不X，那也不Y rejects both choices and often invites the other person to say what would work.

这也不行，那也不行，你到底想要什么？
Zhè yě bù xíng, nà yě bù xíng, nǐ dàodǐ xiǎng yào shénme?
This won’t do, that won’t do either—what do you actually want?
Hint · 힌트
Read the frame as a whole before translating each word. The repeated words are part of the pattern, not accidental repetition.
In Real Life
These forms are conversational: speakers use them to show annoyance, resignation, or emphasis. Tone of voice helps you tell playful teasing from real criticism.

Vocabulary

ChineseEnglish
xiǎng
to think; want
lái
to come
qù
to go
háishi
or; still
juédìng
to decide; decision
cuò
wrong; mistake
yǐhòu
after; afterwards
gǎizhèng
to correct; amend
jiù
then; just
fāshēng
to happen; occur
bànfǎ
method; way
gǎibiàn
to change; alter
jiēshòu
to accept
hòuhuǐ
to regret; repent
yuánliàng
to forgive; excuse
wèntí
question; problem
jiějué
to solve; resolve
xuǎnzé
to choose; choice
dàodǐ
on earth; after all
yào
to want; to need

YOUR PROGRESS

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