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继而 (jì ér) — (formal conjunction) then, afterwards, subsequently

Definition

Formal written conjunction linking two sequential events ('then, afterwards'). More literary than 接着 (everyday 'next') or 于是 (emphasizes cause–result).

conjunction
(formal conjunction) thenafterwardssubsequently

Examples

  • ，继而。
    Tā xiān tí chū le fāng àn, jì ér huò dé le dà jiā de zhī chí.
    He first proposed a plan, and then gained everyone's support.
  • ，继而。
    Qǐ chū zhǐ shì qīng wēi de mó cā, jì ér yǎn biàn chéng le jī liè de chōng tū.
    At first it was just a minor friction, and then it developed into a fierce conflict.
  • ，继而。
    Jīng jì wēi jī bào fā hòu, jì ér yǐn fā le quán qiú xìng de shuāi tuì.
    After the economic crisis broke out, it subsequently triggered a global recession.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

继jìcontinue
而érand

继 (“continue”) with 而 gives the sense of “then” or “afterwards.”

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 繼; 继 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìrope
Sound part声符shēngfú
㡭
㡭㡭繼jì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 繼 pairs 糸 (rope) with 㡭 as a sound part; an older form may have shown four silk strands. The simplified 继 is only a later shorthand.

Open 继 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 而 is a picture of a beard.

Open 而 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Time (Abstract)

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