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而 (ér) — (conjunction) and, as well as (connecting parallel elements); (conjunction) but, yet (indicating contrast); (conjunction) because of, due to (indicating cause)

Definition

A classical/literary conjunction: links parallel elements ('and, yet'), sets up contrasts, or marks cause. Unlike the spoken 因为 or 由于, 而 is written/formal and never starts a clause by itself.

conjunction
andas well as (connecting parallel elements)butyet (indicating contrast)because ofdue to (indicating cause)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 而。
    Zhè ge wèn tí jiǎn dān ér zhòng yào.
    This question is simple yet important.
  • 而。
    Tā shì yí gè cōng ming ér qín fèn de xué shēng.
    He is a smart and diligent student.
  • 而。
    Tā yīn shēng bìng ér qǐng jià.
    He took leave because of illness.

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4500 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 2.0 Level 41000 Most Frequent Chinese Words2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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