antes bien
- Dictionary
antes bien(
ahn
-
tehs
byehn
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (literary) (quite the opposite)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. rather
Las protestas violentas no ayudaron a nuestra causa; antes bien, la perjudicaron mucho.The violent protests didn't help our cause; rather, they were very detrimental.
b. quite the contrary
La lista de lecturas obligatorias era más larga que en el semestre anterior. Para mí eso no era un castigo; antes bien, era como un premio.The required reading list was longer than the previous semester. To me that wasn't a punishment; quite the contrary, it was more like a reward.
c. instead
El patrullero ordenó al conductor que se hiciera a un lado pero este no se detuvo, antes bien aceleró.The patrolman ordered the driver to pull over, but he didn't stop; instead, he sped up.
d. as a matter of fact
No me disgusta la nueva película de Ferrarini; antes bien, me gusta bastante.I don't dislike Ferrarini's new movie, as a matter of fact I quite like it.
a. OK earlier
Estaba antes bien, pero ahora estoy un poco desanimado.I was OK earlier, but now I'm a little down.
b. OK before
La computadora no parece funcionar ahora, pero estaba antes bien, ¿no?The computer doesn't seem to work now, but it was OK before, wasn't it?
c. all right earlier
Laura estaba antes bien, pero ahora la veo muy pálida.Laura was all right earlier, but she looks very pale now.
d. all right before
Jimmy estaba antes bien. Ahora está llorando.Jimmy was all right before. Now he's crying.
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