HSK 7-9
无A不B
wú A bù B
No A without B; wherever there is A there is B
Structure
无 (Noun) 不 (Verb/Adjective)
How it works
This double negative structure emphasizes a strong, universal correlation between two concepts, implying that A is always accompanied or followed by B. It functions as a formal way to express 'whenever/wherever there is A, there is definitely B' or 'every A involves B.'
Examples
为了达成目标，他无时不刻不在努力。
Wèile dáchéng mùbiāo, tā wú shí bù kè bù zài nǔlì.
In order to achieve his goals, he is working hard at all times.
在那场激烈的辩论中，双方词锋锐利，无往不利。
Zài nà chǎng jīliè de biànlùn zhōng, shuāngfāng cífēng ruìlì, wú wǎng bù lì.
In that fierce debate, both sides had sharp arguments and were successful wherever they went.
这种新药在临床试验中几乎无往不胜，效果显著。
Zhè zhǒng xīnyào zài línchuáng shìyàn zhōng jīhū wú wǎng bù shèng, xiàoguǒ xiǎnzhù.
This new drug was almost invincible in clinical trials, showing remarkable effects.
Common mistakes
Mistakenly treating '无时无刻' as a single negative; it must be followed by another '不' to maintain the affirmative meaning (e.g., 无时无刻不在...ing).
Tip
Think of this as a mathematical 'negative times negative equals positive' rule used for rhetorical emphasis in formal writing.
More HSK 7-9 grammar
See 无A不B in real Chinese
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