Linking Words (And, But, Because) in Chinese 连词
lián cí
Conjunction in Chinese is 连词 (lián cí).
Also searched for as: and, but, because, so, conjunctions.
How do you join ideas together? 15 essential linking words words in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and English. Open it in the app to hear each word, tick off the ones you know and turn them into flashcards.
Linking words let you move from short sentences to real explanations. The most common ones come in pairs: 因为…所以… (yīn wèi…suǒ yǐ…), 'because…so…', and 虽然…但是… (suī rán…dàn shì…), 'although…but…', and unlike English, Chinese happily uses both halves together. This list also covers the two words for 'or', 或者 (huò zhě) and 还是 (hái shi), and sequence words like 先 (xiān) and 然后 (rán hòu).
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 和 | hé | and (between nouns) |
| 但是 | dàn shì | but |
| 可是 | kě shì | but; however |
| 因为 | yīn wèi | because |
| 所以 | suǒ yǐ | so; therefore |
| 虽然 | suī rán | although |
| 如果 | rú guǒ | if |
| 或者 | huò zhě | or (in statements) |
| 还是 | hái shi | or (in questions) |
| 然后 | rán hòu | then; after that |
| 而且 | ér qiě | and also; moreover |
| 不但 | bù dàn | not only |
| 就 | jiù | then; just |
| 也 | yě | also; too |
| 先 | xiān | first |
Usage tips
- 虽然 (suī rán) usually pairs with 但是 or 可是, and 不但 (bù dàn) with 而且 (ér qiě) or 还 (hái), as in 他不但会说，还会写 (tā bù dàn huì shuō, hái huì xiě).
- 可是 (kě shì) and 但是 (dàn shì) both mean 'but'; 可是 sounds a little more conversational.
- 就 (jiù) after a condition or time means 'then' or 'as soon as': 你到了就给我打电话 (nǐ dào le jiù gěi wǒ dǎ diàn huà).
Common mistakes
- Joining two clauses with 和 (hé), as in 我很累和我想睡觉: 和 only links nouns, so say 我很累，想睡觉 (wǒ hěn lèi, xiǎng shuì jiào).
- Putting 也 (yě) at the start like English 'also', as in 也我是学生: it goes after the subject, 我也是学生 (wǒ yě shì xué sheng).
- Using 或者 (huò zhě) in a question, as in 你喝茶或者咖啡: in questions use 还是, 你喝茶还是咖啡？ (nǐ hē chá hái shi kā fēi).
Mini dialogue
- A周末你想去爬山还是看电影？Zhōu mò nǐ xiǎng qù pá shān hái shi kàn diàn yǐng?Do you want to go hiking or see a film at the weekend?
- B如果不下雨，我们就去爬山吧。Rú guǒ bù xià yǔ, wǒ men jiù qù pá shān ba.If it doesn't rain, let's go hiking.
- A好，可是我没有登山鞋。Hǎo, kě shì wǒ méi yǒu dēng shān xié.OK, but I haven't got any hiking boots.
- B没关系，先去买鞋，然后去爬山。Méi guān xi, xiān qù mǎi xié, rán hòu qù pá shān.Never mind, we'll buy some boots first, then go hiking.
Example sentences
- 我和妹妹都喜欢猫。My sister and I both like cats.
- 我想去，但是没时间。I want to go, but I don't have time.
- 很贵，可是很好看。It's expensive, but it looks great.
- 因为下雨，我没去。I didn't go because it was raining.
- 我很累，所以早睡了。I was tired, so I went to bed early.
- 虽然很难，但是很有意思。Although it's hard, it's interesting.
- 如果明天不下雨，我们去爬山。If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go hiking.
- 周六或者周日都可以。Saturday or Sunday both work.
- 你喝茶还是咖啡？Would you like tea or coffee?
- 先洗手，然后吃饭。Wash your hands first, then eat.
- 这家店便宜，而且好吃。This place is cheap, and tasty too.
- 他不但会说中文，还会写汉字。He can not only speak Chinese, but also write characters.
- 你到了就给我打电话。Call me as soon as you arrive.
- 我也是学生。I'm a student too.
- 你先走吧。You go first.
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The Linking words speaking island has 8 everyday questions about linking words to prepare your own answers to.