hindi upang ... kundi upang ...

Not in Order to ... but to

Level 6

Use hindi upang ... kundi upang ... to say "not in order to [A], but rather to [B]." It is a high-level, formal way to clarify intentions.

How It Works

The construction hindi upang ... kundi upang ... is a sophisticated tool for rhetorical contrast.

1. Syntactic Structure:
The pattern typically follows the sequence: [Action] + hindi upang + [Verb A], + kundi upang + [Verb B]. Note an important structural nuance regarding the placement of the first hindi: it can either immediately precede upang (as shown in the formula) OR it can be placed before the main verb (e.g., Hindi ako naparito upang... kundi upang... [I did not come here in order to... but to...]). Both are common and pragmatically interchangeable; in both cases, the action itself is affirmed to have happened, and only the stated purpose is negated. Crucially, this placement affects the position of enclitic pronouns in the main clause. Because hindi acts as an enclitic magnet, placing it before the main verb pulls the enclitic pronoun to follow it immediately (e.g., Hindi ko ito ginawa upang... [I did not do this in order to...]). Conversely, if hindi is placed right before upang, the enclitic pronoun remains attached to the main verb (e.g., Ginawa ko ito hindi upang... [I did this not in order to...]). In standard writing, a comma is typically placed before kundi to separate the contrasting clauses. However, the hindi upang clause is frequently fronted for rhetorical emphasis (e.g., Hindi upang saktan ka, kundi upang tulungan ka, kaya ko ito ginawa. [Not in order to hurt you, but to help you, is why I did this.]). Verbs following the upang markers standardly take the neutral form (infinitive). While using the contemplated aspect is sometimes heard as a colloquial variation or structural borrowing from English (translating 'so that I will...'), standard formal Tagalog prefers the neutral form. Syntactically, when introducing verb clauses, upang behaves exactly like para, following the same rules for the neutral verb form and enclitic placement. However, unlike para sa, which can function as a preposition introducing noun phrases (e.g., para sa bata [for the child]), upang strictly introduces clauses and cannot be used as a preposition. While it is a common stylistic preference for the verbs to share the same focus, it is not a strict grammatical requirement; mixing focus types is perfectly valid and common in classical texts. Note that the actor or subject of Verb A and Verb B do not have to be the same person. Additionally, pay attention to pronoun placement inside the upang clause. Because upang does not attract enclitics, strict second-position pronouns attach to the verb (e.g., hindi upang saktan mo siya [not in order for you to hurt him/her]) unless the formal ay inversion is used (e.g., hindi upang siya ay saktan mo [not in order that he/she be hurt by you]). If the upang clause contains an internal negation, the inner hindi acts as an enclitic magnet, pulling the pronoun before the verb (e.g., kundi upang hindi mo siya saktan [but in order for you not to hurt him/her]).

2. Register and Nuance:
This is an advanced, highly formal construction. In casual conversation, Filipinos use para (e.g., hindi para... kundi para... [not in order to... but in order to...]). Using upang signals a high degree of seriousness, such as in a formal speech or academic essay. In extremely formal contexts, kundi is frequently replaced entirely by bagkus (e.g., hindi upang... bagkus upang... [not in order to... but rather to...]) to further emphasize the correction of a misconception.

3. Grammatical Precision:
Upang is strictly for intended purpose and serves as a highly formal equivalent to the purpose-marker nang (e.g., Bilisan mo nang manalo tayo [Hurry up so that we win]). Do not confuse it with nang when used as a time marker (meaning 'when'). It is also distinct from nang sa gayon, which functions as a resultative 'so that'. While kundi originated as a contraction of kung hindi, in modern Tagalog they are distinct. You should never un-contract this pattern to kung hindi upang; it acts as a fixed coordinating conjunction meaning 'but rather'.

Examples (4)

  1. Naparito ang pinuno hindi upang mag-utos, kundi upang maglingkod.

    The leader came not to give orders, but to serve.

    Word by Word: Came the leader not in-order-to give-orders, but in-order-to serve.

    This uses actor-focus verbs (mag-utos, maglingkod) to contrast the leader's true intention.

  2. Ang batas ay ipinasa hindi upang pahirapan ang tao, kundi upang tiyakin ang kaayusan.

    The law was passed not to burden the people, but to ensure order.

    Word by Word: The law was passed not in-order-to burden the people, but in-order-to ensure the order.

    A classic legalistic use of the pattern, contrasting a perceived negative purpose with a positive systemic one.

  3. Sumusulat siya hindi upang sumikat, kundi upang magbahagi ng katotohanan.

    He writes not to become famous, but to share the truth.

    Word by Word: Writes he not in-order-to become-famous, but in-order-to share of truth.

    This demonstrates the pattern in an academic or literary context, clarifying the author's motivation.

  4. Nag-aaral tayo hindi upang makapasa lamang, kundi upang matuto nang lubos.

    We study not only to pass, but to learn deeply.

    Word by Word: Study we not in-order-to pass only, but in-order-to learn [manner] fully.

    Note the use of 'tayo' (inclusive we) which is common in formal rhetoric to engage the audience.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the contemplated aspect instead of the neutral form.

    Hindi upang magagalit siya, kundi upang tutulong.
    Hindi upang magalit siya, kundi upang tumulong.

    While using the contemplated aspect in purpose clauses is sometimes heard as a colloquial variation or structural borrowing from English (translating 'so that I will...'), standard formal Tagalog prefers the neutral form (infinitive).

  • Using the pattern in casual Taglish or daily conversation.

    Hindi upang bumili ako ng kape, kundi upang makita ka.
    Hindi para bumili ako ng kape, kundi para makita ka.

    In casual settings, 'upang' sounds unnaturally stiff or archaic. Use para instead for everyday purposes.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

hindi upang ... kundi upang ...Level 6Not in Order to ... but to

Learn This First

The pattern 'hindi upang ... kundi upang ...' is a formal rhetorical structure used to contrast purposes. To understand it, a learner must first be familiar with the basic purpose marker 'upang' (in order to) and the contrastive negation structure 'hindi ... kundi' (not X but Y).

Words in This Pattern