hindi ... kundi ...
Not X but Y
Use hindi ... kundi ... to say "Not X, but Y." It corrects a mistake or clarifies a specific point by invalidating the first part and providing the true answer.
How It Works
The pattern hindi ... kundi ... is the standard way to express a correction in Filipino. It is composed of the general negator hindi and the conjunction kundi (a contraction of kung hindi).
1. Corrective Function
This pattern is used when you want to explicitly state that one thing is not true, and then immediately provide the thing that is true. It can connect nouns, adjectives, verbs, or entire clauses.
Example: Hindi ito asul kundi berde. (This isn't blue but green.)
2. Kundi vs. Pero
Learners often use pero for every instance of "but." However, pero is used to add contrasting information (e.g., "It's small but heavy"), while kundi is used to replace the first item entirely (e.g., "It's not small but big").
3. The "Not Only" Variation
A very common expansion of this pattern is hindi lamang ... kundi pati, which means "not only ... but also." In this case, the first part is true but incomplete, and kundi introduces the additional information.
4. Register
This pattern is neutral and used in all levels of speech. In very formal or literary Filipino, you might encounter the word bagkus used in a similar way to mean "rather."
Examples (4)
- Hindi pula ang kulay ng damit niya kundi asul.
Her dress color is not red but blue.
Word by Word: Not red the color of dress her but blue.
Here, 'kundi' corrects the color of the dress from red to blue.
- Hindi ako nagagalit, kundi nagtataka lang.
I am not angry, but just wondering.
Word by Word: Not I getting-angry, but wondering just.
This corrects the speaker's emotional state, replacing 'angry' with 'wondering'.
- Hindi siya kumain, kundi natulog agad.
He didn't eat, but rather slept immediately.
Word by Word: Not he ate, but slept immediately.
This corrects the action performed by the subject.
- Hindi ito kape kundi tsaa.
This is not coffee but tea.
Word by Word: Not this coffee but tea.
A simple noun correction using the 'hindi... kundi' structure.
Common Mistakes
Using 'pero' instead of 'kundi' for corrections.
Hindi ito mansanas pero mangga.Hindi ito mansanas kundi mangga.In English, we use 'but' for both contrast and correction. In Filipino, 'pero' is for contrast, while 'kundi' is the standard word when you reject the first noun and replace it with the second.
'Kung hindi' means 'unless', not 'but rather'.
Different MeaningHindi ako aalis kung hindi matutulog.Hindi ako aalis kundi matutulog.'Hindi ako aalis kung hindi matutulog' is a good sentence meaning 'I won't leave unless I sleep'. To say 'I won't leave; instead I will sleep', use the corrective 'kundi'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The 'hindi ... kundi ...' pattern is a correlative construction used to correct a statement or provide an alternative. To use it, you must already be familiar with basic negation using 'hindi' and how to link nouns or adjectives in simple sentences without a copula (the 'is' verb).
Related Patterns
- hindi lamang ... kundi patiNot Only ... but Also
An expanded version of this pattern meaning 'not only... but also'.
Level 3 - bagkusRather / on the Contrary
A formal literary alternative to 'kundi' meaning 'rather' or 'on the contrary'.
Level 5 - kung hindiUnless / if Not
The conditional 'if not' phrase that 'kundi' is etymologically derived from.
Level 4 - sa halipInstead
Means 'instead', often used alongside corrective statements to show preference.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice hindi ... kundi ... in Bubblegum
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