Definition
继 (jì) is a formal conjunction meaning 'then, afterwards' used in written Chinese to link sequential actions, often in paired structures like 先...继之/继则 (first... then). 继而 (jì ér) is a similar conjunction but more independent and can start a sentence. Unlike the verb 继续 (jì xù, 'to continue'), 继 does not mean 'continue'—it marks the next step in a sequence.
conjunction
thenafterwards (conjunction linking sequential actions or events in formal/written Chinese)
Easily confused
- 经jīnglook-aliketo pass through; to go through (a place, time, or experience)
- 几jǐsound-alike(interrogative) how many; how much
- 练liànlook-aliketo practice, to train (a skill)
- 季jìsound-alikeseason
- 缕lǚlook-alike(classifier) for slender, wispy things: strands (of hair), wisps (of smoke/mist), beams (of light), puffs (of fragrance)
- 记jìsound-aliketo remember; to memorize
- 集jísound-alike(noun) collection, anthology, collected works
- 鸡jīsound-alikechicken
- 及jísound-alike(conjunction) and; as well as (used in formal writing to connect nouns or noun phrases)
- 寄jìsound-aliketo send (by mail), to mail, to post
Examples
- ，继。Tā xiān zhěnglǐ hǎo wénjiàn, jì zhī kāishǐ huìbào.He first organized the documents, then started the report.
- ，继。Wǒmen shǒuxiān kānchá xiànchǎng, jì zé tǎolùn fāng'àn.We first surveyed the scene; then we discussed the plan.
- ，继。Tā xiān dàoqiàn, jì zé jiěshì yuányīn.He first apologized, then explained the reason.
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