Chinese - Conjunctions (连词)
Chinese conjunctions, like those in English, are the "glue" that connects words, phrases, and clauses, allowing you to build complex and nuanced thoughts.
Chinese uses many Correlative Conjunctions—paired words (like "not only... but also")—which are very important for showing logical relationships.
1. Simple Connection (And, Or, But)
These conjunctions connect words, phrases, or simple clauses.
| Conjunction | Meaning | Usage | Placement & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 和 (hé) | And (connecting nouns, phrases). | Connects nouns/items. Rarely connects verbs/clauses. | 我 和 你 是 朋友。 (Wǒ hé nǐ shì péngyǒu.) |
| 跟 (gēn) | And (connecting nouns, less common than 和). | Primarily used in spoken language for connecting nouns. Also acts as the preposition "with." | 咖啡 跟 茶, 你 喜欢 哪个？ |
| 或 (huò) / 或者 (huòzhě) | Or (in a statement). | 或者 is more common; connects nouns or clauses. | 你 今天 或者 明天 来。 (Nǐ jīntiān huòzhě míngtiān lái.) |
| 还是 (háishi) | Or (in a question). | Must be used when presenting a choice in a question. | 你 喜欢 咖啡 还是 茶？ (Nǐ xǐhuān kāfēi háishi chá?) |
| 但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì) | But, however. | Connects two contrasting clauses. 但是 is more common. | 他 想 来, 但是 他 没 时间。 (Tā xiǎng lái, dànshì tā méi shíjiān.) |
2. Time and Sequence Correlatives
These set up a clear order of events.
| Correlative Pair | Meaning | Structure & Usage | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 先... 再/然后 (xiān... zài/ránhòu) | First... then... | 先 introduces the initial action; 再/然后 introduces the subsequent action. | 我 先 吃饭, 然后 看 电视。 (Wǒ xiān chīfàn, ránhòu kàn diànshì.) |
| 一... 就... (yī... jiù...) | As soon as... then... | 一 introduces the action that immediately precedes the other; 就 introduces the second action. | 他 一 回家, 就 睡觉 了。 (Tā yī huí jiā, jiù shuì jiào le.) |
3. Reason and Result Correlatives
These establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
| Correlative Pair | Meaning | Structure & Usage | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 因为... 所以... (yīnwèi... suǒyǐ...) | Because... therefore/so... | 因为 introduces the reason/cause; 所以 introduces the result/effect. | 因为 下 雨 了, 所以 我 没 去。 (Yīnwèi xiàyǔ le, suǒyǐ wǒ méi qù.) |
4. Condition and Hypothesis Correlatives
These set up conditional statements.
| Correlative Pair | Meaning | Structure & Usage | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 如果... 就... (rúguǒ... jiù...) | If... then... | 如果 introduces the condition; 就 introduces the result. 如果 can sometimes be omitted. | 如果 你 有 时间, 就 来 找 我。 (Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu shíjiān, jiù lái zhǎo wǒ.) |
| 只要... 就... (zhǐyào... jiù...) | As long as... then... | 只要 introduces the minimal condition required; 就 introduces the guaranteed result. | 只要 努力, 就 会 成功。 (Zhǐyào nǔlì, jiù huì chénggōng.) |
| 无论/不论/不管... 都/也... (wúlùn/bùlùn/bùguǎn... dōu/yě...) | No matter (what/how)... still/all... | Introduces an exhaustive set of conditions; 都/也 introduce a non-changing result. | 无论 多 忙, 我 都 会 学习。 (Wúlùn duō máng, wǒ dōu huì xuéxí.) |
5. Advanced Correlative Conjunctions (High-Level)
These are crucial for adding sophistication and complexity to your expression.
| Correlative Pair | Meaning | Structure & Usage | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 不但... 而且... (bùdàn... érqiě...) | Not only... but also... | Connects two parts where the second part adds further information or emphasis. | 他 不但 聪明, 而且 很 努力。 (Tā bùdàn cōngmíng, érqiě hěn nǔlì.) |
| 虽然... 但是... (suīrán... dànshì...) | Although... but... | 虽然 introduces a concession; 但是 introduces the contrast. 虽然 can be omitted if 但是 is present. | 虽然 很 累, 但是 很 开心。 (Suīrán hěn lèi, dànshì hěn kāixīn.) |
| 宁可... 也/也不... (nìngkě... yě/yě bù...) | Would rather... than... | Expresses a strong preference for the first action, often over a worse alternative. | 我 宁可 走路, 也 不 想 坐 公交车。 (Wǒ nìngkě zǒu lù, yě bù xiǎng zuò gōngjiāochē.) |
| 与其... 不如... (yǔqí... bùrú...) | It is better to... than to... | Presents a choice, recommending the second option as superior to the first. | 与其 等 他, 不如 我们 先 走。 (Yǔqí děng tā, bùrú wǒmen xiān zǒu.) |
Key Grammar Points to Remember
- Placement of Subjects: In many correlative structures (e.g., 因為...所以...), if the subjects of both clauses are the same, the subject often only appears once, before the first conjunction.
- Correct: 我 因为 喜欢, 所以 买了。 (Wǒ yīnwèi xǐhuān, suǒyǐ mǎile.)
- Placement of Adverbs: Adverbs like 都 (dōu) and 也 (yě) often follow the second part of the correlative pair, as seen in the examples (无论...都...).