hindi dahil ... kundi dahil ...
Not Because ... but Because
Use hindi dahil... kundi dahil... to say "Not because [Reason A]... but because [Reason B]." It is a precise way to correct a misconception about why something happened.
How It Works
The structure hindi dahil... kundi dahil... is an advanced coordination pattern used to refine logical arguments or emotional explanations.
1. Functional Parallelism
While both clauses must contain a causal marker, the specific marker used depends on the object that follows it. You can mix markers if the reasons are of different types. For example: Hindi dahil malungkot ako, kundi dahil kay Maria. (Not because I am sad, but because of Maria.)
- Use dahil for verbs or full clauses.
- Use dahil sa for common nouns.
- Use dahil kay or dahil kina for specific people.
2. Kundi vs. Pero
Kundi (a contraction of kung hindi) is specifically used for direct substitution—negating one thing to replace it with another. In formal Filipino, kundi is the required partner for a preceding hindi in this context, whereas pero is merely additive.
3. Enclitic Placement
When using enclitic particles like lang (only) or na (now), they typically follow the first word of the phrase. Hindi lang dahil... implies the first reason is true but incomplete, whereas Hindi dahil lang... focuses the negation on the simplicity of the reason.
4. Register
This pattern is highly frequent in formal rhetoric and academic writing because of its logical precision. It allows a speaker to become proficient in clarifying intentions and avoiding misunderstandings.
Examples (4)
- Nanalo siya sa patimpalak hindi dahil sa kanyang kagandahan, kundi dahil sa kanyang pambihirang talino.
She won the contest not because of her beauty, but because of her extraordinary intelligence.
Word by Word: Won she in contest not because of her beauty, but because of her extraordinary intelligence.
This formal example uses 'dahil sa' because the reasons (beauty and intelligence) are noun phrases.
- Umiiyak ako hindi dahil malungkot ako, kundi dahil sa sobrang tuwa.
I am crying not because I am sad, but because of extreme joy.
Word by Word: Crying I not because sad I, but because of extreme joy.
Notice the switch from 'dahil' (before the clause 'malungkot ako') to 'dahil sa' (before the noun phrase 'sobrang tuwa').
- Pinili nilang manahimik hindi dahil sila ay naduduwag, kundi dahil hinihintay nila ang tamang pagkakataon.
They chose to remain silent not because they are being cowardly, but because they are waiting for the right opportunity.
Word by Word: Chose they to be silent not because they [marker] being-cowardly, but because waiting they the right opportunity.
This uses 'dahil' followed by full clauses to explain a complex motivation.
- Hindi dahil sa galit ako, kundi dahil sa pagod na ako.
It's not because I'm angry, but because I'm already tired.
Word by Word: Not because of anger I, but because of tired already I.
A common everyday usage to clarify one's emotional state.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the causal marker in the second clause.
Hindi dahil sa ulan kundi ang baha.Hindi dahil sa ulan kundi dahil sa baha.A causal marker must be present in both parts of the sentence to maintain logical balance. You cannot simply state the noun in the second half without a marker like dahil sa.
Using 'pero' instead of 'kundi' for direct substitution.
Hindi dahil sa pera pero dahil sa pag-ibig.Hindi dahil sa pera kundi dahil sa pag-ibig.While pero is common in casual speech, kundi is the grammatically correct partner for hindi when negating one reason to provide the correct one.
Using the wrong marker for people.
Hindi dahil sa Maria kundi dahil sa Juan.Hindi dahil kay Maria kundi dahil kay Juan.When the reason is a specific person, you must use the personal markers kay or kina instead of the common noun marker sa.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'hindi dahil ... kundi dahil ...', a learner must first be comfortable with the basic conjunction 'dahil' (because) and the contrastive structure 'hindi ... kundi ...' (not ... but ...). This pattern simply applies that contrastive logic specifically to reasons or causes.
Related Patterns
- dahil saBecause of
The causal marker used when the reason is a common noun.
Level 2 - kayOblique Personal Marker
The personal marker used with 'dahil' to indicate a specific person as the cause.
Level 1 - kinaPlural Oblique Personal Marker
The plural personal marker used with 'dahil' to indicate a group of specific people as the cause.
Level 1 - kundi bagkusBut Rather
A more formal, emphatic version of 'kundi' used in high-level rhetoric.
Level 5 - Second-Position Words
Explains where to place particles like 'lang' or 'na' within these complex phrases.
Foundations
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
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