Nantoka/而是ér shìHSK 4而是 (ér shì) is a Chinese word meaning “rather”.Meanings1ratherCharacters in 而是而ér · and是shì · to be (followed by substantives only)Related words是to be (followed by substantives only)是variant of 是[shi4]但是but; however是的yes, that's right而and就是exactly; precisely只是merely; only; just; nothing but还是still (as before)而且(not only ...) but also可是but; however真是indeed; truly总是alwaysStudy Chinese with flashcards →