非此即彼

fēicǐjíbǐ
idiom #43,691

Meanings

  1. 1 either this or that
  2. 2 one or the other, with no middle ground
  3. 3 a binary, exclusive choice

Examples

Zhège wèntí bìng bú shì fēicǐjíbǐ nàme jiǎndān.
This problem isn't as simple as a black-or-white choice.
Tā xíguàn yòng fēicǐjíbǐ de sīwéi kàndài shìjiè.
He's used to seeing the world in binary, either/or terms.
Gōngzuò hé jiātíng bìng fēi fēicǐjíbǐ, kěyǐ jiāngù.
Work and family aren't a strict either/or — you can balance both.

Tips

usage
Often used to criticize oversimplified thinking. Classic phrasing: 不是非此即彼 ('it's not a simple either/or'). Related: 黑白分明 (clear black-and-white) describes moral clarity, not binary choice.
memory
(not) (this) (then) (that) — literally 'if not this, then that.' A perfect compact formula for binary logic.

Stroke Order

fēi