nu + A + ci + B

Not...But Rather

Level 5

Use nu... ci... to correct a mistake. It cancels the first part and provides the truth in the second part. A comma is always required before ci.

How It Works

The nu... ci... structure is the standard way in Romanian to express corrective negation. It is used when you want to explicitly reject a specific term or idea and immediately provide the correct alternative.

1. Grammatical Function
This pattern can link almost any part of speech, including nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. When you use it, you are stating that the first element is incorrect or inapplicable, and the second element is the actual fact.

  • Nu e roșu, ci albastru. (It's not red, but [rather] blue.)

2. Punctuation Rule
In Romanian, you must place a comma before the word ci. This is a strict orthographic rule that distinguishes it from some other conjunctions.

3. The Additive Pattern: nu numai/doar... ci și...
A very common variation is nu numai... ci și... or nu doar... ci și..., which translates to "not only... but also...". Unlike the basic corrective pattern, this does not reject the first part, but adds a second, often more important, piece of information.

  • Nu numai că a plouat, ci a și bătut vântul. (Not only did it rain, but the wind also blew.)

4. Clausal Correction (nu că... ci că...)
When correcting reasons or entire explanations, the pattern expands to nu că... ci că.... Both verbs usually remain in the indicative mood because you are contrasting two factual claims.

  • Nu că nu vrea, ci că nu poate. (Not that he doesn't want to, but that he can't.)

5. Distinction from 'dar'
While English often uses "but" for both contrast and correction, Romanian distinguishes them. Use dar when both parts of the sentence can be true (e.g., "He is small but strong"). Use ci only when the first part is being negated or corrected. For stronger emphasis, ci can sometimes be replaced by ba or ba chiar (e.g., Nu e greu, ba chiar e ușor).

Examples (5)

  1. Nu am cumpărat mere, ci pere.

    I didn't buy apples, but [rather] pears.

    Word by Word: Not I-have bought apples, but pears.

    A simple noun substitution where 'apples' is rejected and 'pears' is the correction.

  2. Problema nu este că a întârziat, ci că nu a sunat.

    The problem isn't that he was late, but [rather] that he didn't call.

    Word by Word: Problem-the not is that he-has delayed, but that not he-has called.

    This uses the clausal 'nu că... ci că...' structure to correct the perceived reason for a problem.

  3. Nu a plecat ieri, ci azi dimineață.

    He didn't leave yesterday, but [rather] this morning.

    Word by Word: Not he-has left yesterday, but today morning.

    Here, the pattern corrects an adverb of time.

  4. Nu este numai inteligentă, ci și foarte muncitoare.

    She is not only intelligent but also very hardworking.

    Word by Word: Not is only intelligent, but also very hardworking.

    Demonstrates the additive correlative pattern 'nu numai... ci și...' used to include both qualities.

  5. Nu ești obosit, ci doar plictisit.

    You aren't tired, but rather just bored.

    Word by Word: Not you-are tired, but just bored.

    Correcting an adjective describing a state of being.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'dar' instead of 'ci' for corrections.

    Nu e frig, dar cald.
    Nu e frig, ci cald.

    In English, 'but' works for both, but in Romanian, 'dar' is for contrast (both are true) and 'ci' is for correction (the first is false).

  • Omitting the mandatory comma.

    Nu e alb ci negru.
    Nu e alb, ci negru.

    Romanian grammar requires a comma before the adversative conjunction 'ci'.

  • Using 'ci' without a preceding negation.

    E soare, ci bate vântul.
    E soare, dar bate vântul.

    'Ci' can only be used if the first part of the sentence contains a negation like 'nu' or 'nici'.

How It Connects

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

nu + A + ci + BLevel 5Not...But Rather

Learn This First

Recognize the rejected alternative marked by nu. Identify the contrasting focus selected by ci.

Words in This Pattern

nuci