{"id":182001,"date":"2020-12-08T02:54:40","date_gmt":"2020-12-08T07:54:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/and-in-chinese\/"},"modified":"2025-06-09T05:57:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T09:57:57","slug":"and-in-chinese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/chinese\/and-in-chinese\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Ways to Say “And” in Chinese [With Audio and Quiz]"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the easiest ways to make your language skills sound more advanced is by connecting your thoughts using conjunctions like “and.”<\/p>\n

This is true in English and Chinese. Because Chinese is a contextual language, there’s an “and” for every circumstance.<\/p>\n

In this article, I’ll show you all the different ways you can say “and” in Chinese so you can vary your speech and sound more like a native speaker.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc skip=4]<\/p>\n

Use \u548c (h\u00e9) <\/em>to Connect Nouns<\/h2>\n

When you simply need to connect two nouns<\/strong>, go with \u548c. You can use \u548c to connect two subjects or two objects.<\/p>\n

Here’s an example of \u548c connecting two subjects:<\/p>\n

\u6211\u548c<\/strong>\u4ed6\u53ea\u662f\u670b\u53cb\u3002
\n(w\u01d2 h\u00e9<\/strong> t\u0101 zh\u01d0 sh\u00ec p\u00e9ng y\u01d2u.)
\n<\/em>He and<\/strong> I are just friends.<\/p>\n

And here’s an example of \u548c connecting two objects:<\/p>\n

\u5979\u559c\u6b22\u56db\u5ddd\u548c<\/strong>\u6e56\u5357\u83dc\u3002
\n(t\u0101 x\u01d0 huan s\u00ec chu\u0101n h\u00e9<\/strong> h\u00fa n\u00e1n c\u00e0i.)
\n<\/em>She likes Sichuan and<\/strong> Hunan cuisines.<\/p>\n

Use \u8ddf (g\u0113n) <\/em>to Connect People Performing the Same Action<\/h2>\n

When two people are doing something together, you can either stick \u548c between the two people in the sentence, or you can swap that with \u8ddf, which means “with.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here’s an example. Let’s say you want to share that you watched a movie with your boyfriend yesterday. There are two ways to express the same thought:<\/p>\n

\u6628\u5929\u6211\u548c<\/strong>\u7537\u670b\u53cb\u770b\u7535\u5f71\u3002
\n(zu\u00f3 ti\u0101n w\u01d2 h\u00e9<\/strong> n\u00e1n p\u00e9ng y\u01d2u k\u00e0n di\u00e0n y\u01d0ng.)
\n<\/em>My boyfriend and<\/strong> I watched a movie yesterday.<\/p>\n

\u6628\u5929\u6211\u8ddf<\/strong>\u7537\u670b\u53cb(\u4e00\u8d77)\u770b\u7535\u5f71\u3002
\n(zu\u00f3 ti\u0101n w\u01d2 g\u0113n<\/strong> n\u00e1n p\u00e9ng y\u01d2u [y\u00ec q\u01d0] k\u00e0n di\u00e0n y\u01d0ng.)
\n<\/em>I watched a movie with<\/strong> my boyfriend yesterday.<\/p>\n

Both options are correct, though using \u8ddf takes your Chinese fluency up a notch.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> \u4e00\u8d77 means “together.” Referring to the example above, it’s implied that you and your boyfriend watched a movie together. But in Mandarin, the sentence formula<\/a> for \u8ddf is as follows:<\/p>\n

Subject + \u8ddf + Person + (\u4e00\u8d77)<\/strong><\/p>\n

As you can see, \u4e00\u8d77 is completely optional but highly encouraged.<\/p>\n

Use \u4e5f\u00a0(y\u011b) <\/em>to Connect Similar Verbal Phrases<\/h2>\n

When two subjects share the same action or verbal phrase<\/strong>, \u4e5f meaning “(and) also” is the appropriate conjunction to use in Chinese.<\/p>\n

\u5979\u53bb\u8fc7\u82f1\u56fd\uff0c\u6211\u4e5f<\/strong>\u53bb\u8fc7\u82f1\u56fd\u3002
\n(t\u0101 q\u00f9 gu\u00f2 y\u012bng gu\u00f3, w\u01d2 y\u011b<\/strong> q\u00f9 gu\u00f2 y\u012bng gu\u00f3.)
\n<\/em>She’s been to England, and<\/strong> I’ve also<\/strong> been to England.<\/p>\n

\u6211\u7684\u670b\u53cb\u60f3\u5b66\u4e2d\u6587\uff0c\u6211\u4e5f<\/strong>\u60f3\u5b66\u4e2d\u6587\u3002
\n(w\u01d2 de p\u00e9ng y\u01d2u xi\u01ceng xu\u00e9 zh\u014dng w\u00e9n, w\u01d2 y\u011b<\/strong> xi\u01ceng xu\u00e9 zh\u014dng w\u00e9n.)
\n<\/em>My friend wants to learn Chinese, and<\/strong> I also<\/strong> want to learn Chinese.<\/p>\n

Additionally, you can use \u4e5f to connect two similar verbal phrases or actions by a single subject<\/strong>. Here are some examples:<\/p>\n

\u6211\u53bb\u8fc7\u82f1\u683c\u5170\uff0c\u4e5f<\/strong>\u53bb\u8fc7\u82cf\u683c\u5170\u3002
\n(w\u01d2 q\u00f9 gu\u00f2 y\u012bng g\u00e9 l\u00e1n, y\u011b<\/strong> q\u00f9 gu\u00f2 s\u016b g\u00e9 l\u00e1n.)
\n<\/em>I’ve been to England, and<\/strong> I’ve also<\/strong> been to Scotland.<\/p>\n

\u5979\u4e0d\u559c\u6b22\u62b1\u5b50\u7518\u84dd\uff0c\u4e5f<\/strong>\u4e0d\u559c\u6b22\u897f\u5170\u82b1\u3002
\n(t\u0101 b\u00f9 x\u01d0 huan b\u00e0o zi g\u0101n l\u00e1n, y\u011b b\u00f9 x\u01d0 huan x\u012b l\u00e1n hu\u0101.)
\n<\/em>She doesn’t like Brussels sprouts, and<\/strong> she also<\/strong> doesn’t like broccoli.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> When used to connect verbal phrases, \u4e5f is preceded by a comma.<\/p>\n

Use \u53c8 (y\u00f2u) <\/em>to Connect Similar Adjectives or Adverbs\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n

If you’re looking to use multiple adjectives<\/a> to describe a noun, the “and” to use in this situation would be \u53c8. Please note that both adjectives have to be positive or negative<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Instead of simply placing \u53c8 in between two adjectives, the correct format in Chinese is:<\/p>\n

\u53c8 + adjective 1 + \u53c8 + adjective 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can think of the double \u53c8 as “both…and…” in English. Here are a couple of examples:<\/p>\n

\u59d0\u59d0\u7684\u5934\u53d1\u53c8<\/strong>\u957f\u53c8<\/strong>\u5377\u3002
\n(ji\u011b jie de t\u00f3u f\u00e0 y\u00f2u<\/strong> zh\u01ceng y\u00f2u<\/strong> ju\u01cen.)
\n<\/em>(My) older sister’s hair is both<\/strong> long and<\/strong> curly.<\/p>\n

\u90a3\u5757\u86cb\u7cd5\u53c8<\/strong>\u6d53\u5976\u6cb9\u53c8<\/strong>\u591a\u3002
\n(n\u00e0 ku\u00e0i d\u00e0n g\u0101o y\u00f2u<\/strong> n\u00f3ng n\u01cei y\u00f3u<\/strong> y\u00f2u du\u014d.)
\n<\/em>That cake is both<\/strong> rich and<\/strong> creamy.<\/p>\n

Another option is to swap out the first \u53c8 with \u65e2\u00a0(j\u00ec)<\/em>.\u00a0\u65e2…\u53c8… also means “both…and…” The only difference between these phrases is that \u65e2…\u53c8… can be used to connect adjectives and adverbs<\/a>, whereas the double \u53c8 only connects adjectives<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u65e2<\/strong>\u00a0+ adjective\/adverb 1 + \u53c8 + adjective\/adverb 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here’s how the \u65e2…\u53c8… can be used with adjectives and adverbs.<\/p>\n

\u6f14\u8bb2\u65e2<\/strong>\u6df7\u4e71\u53c8<\/strong>\u65e0\u804a\u3002
\n(y\u01cen ji\u01ceng j\u00ec<\/strong> h\u00f9n lu\u00e0n y\u00f2u<\/strong> w\u00fa li\u00e1o.)
\n<\/em>The lecture was both<\/strong> disorganized and<\/strong> boring.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u5de5\u4f5c\u65e2<\/strong>\u8fc5\u901f\u53c8<\/strong>\u5b89\u9759\u3002
\n(t\u0101 g\u014dng zu\u00f2 j\u00ec<\/strong> x\u00f9n s\u00f9 y\u00f2u<\/strong> \u0101n j\u00ecng.)
\n<\/em>He works both<\/strong> quickly and<\/strong> quietly.<\/p>\n

Use \u8fd8 (h\u00e1i) <\/em>to Connect Different Actions<\/h2>\n

What if you want to connect two different actions from a single subject<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

Simple: Just use \u8fd8, meaning “and also,” as the conjunction.<\/p>\n

\u6211\u4e08\u592b\u6d17\u8863\u670d\uff0c\u8fd8<\/strong>\u505a\u665a\u996d\u3002
\n(w\u01d2 zh\u00e0ng fu x\u01d0 y\u012b fu, h\u00e1i<\/strong> zu\u00f2 w\u01cen f\u00e0n.)
\n<\/em>My husband does the laundry and also<\/strong> makes dinner.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u4eec\u559d\u4e86\u9152\uff0c\u8fd8<\/strong>\u5403\u4e86\u5976\u916a\u3002
\n(t\u0101 men h\u0113 le ji\u01d4, h\u00e1i<\/strong> ch\u012b le n\u01cei l\u00e0o.)
\n<\/em>They drank wine and also<\/strong> had cheese.<\/p>\n

Other Ways to Say \u201cAnd\u201d in Chinese<\/h2>\n

Thinking of using a synonym of “and” instead? Here are other Chinese conjunctions you can use in place of “and.”<\/p>\n

\u4ee5\u53ca (y\u01d0 j\u00ed)<\/em> \u2014 as well as<\/h3>\n

\u60a8\u8981\u725b\u5976\u4ee5\u53ca<\/strong>\u7cd6\u5417\uff1f
\n(n\u00edn y\u00e0o ni\u00fa n\u01cei y\u01d0 j\u00ed<\/strong> t\u00e1ng ma?)
\n<\/em>Do you want milk as well as<\/strong> sugar?<\/p>\n

\u8fd8\u6709 (h\u00e1i y\u01d2u)<\/em> \u2014 and also<\/h3>\n

\u6709\u6d0b\u8471\uff0c\u80e1\u841d\u535c\uff0c\u8fd8\u6709<\/strong>\u82b9\u83dc\u3002
\n(y\u01d2u y\u00e1ng c\u014dng, h\u00fa lu\u00f3 bo, h\u00e1i y\u01d2u<\/strong> q\u00edn c\u00e0i.)
\n<\/em>There are onions, carrots and (also)<\/strong> celery.<\/p>\n

\u4e4b\u540e (zh\u012b h\u00f2u)<\/em> \u2014 and then<\/h3>\n

\u5979\u7684\u513f\u5b50\u505a\u4e86\u4f5c\u4e1a\uff0c\u4e4b\u540e<\/strong>\u73a9\u7535\u5b50\u6e38\u620f\u3002
\n(t\u0101 de \u00e9r zi zu\u00f2 le zu\u00f2 y\u00e8, zh\u012b h\u00f2u<\/strong> w\u00e1n di\u00e0n z\u01d0 y\u00f3u x\u00ec.<\/em>)
\n<\/em>Her son did his homework and then<\/strong> played video games.<\/p>\n

\u7136\u540e (r\u00e1n h\u00f2u)<\/em> \u2014 then<\/h3>\n

\u4ed6\u4eec\u60f3\u53bb\u897f\u73ed\u7259\uff0c\u7136\u540e<\/strong>\u53bb\u610f\u5927\u5229\u3002
\n(t\u0101 men xi\u01ceng q\u00f9 x\u012b b\u0101n y\u00e1, r\u00e1n h\u00f2u<\/strong> q\u00f9 y\u00ec d\u00e0 l\u00ec.)
\n<\/em>They want to go to Spain, then<\/strong> Italy.<\/p>\n

\u4e0d\u4f46…\u800c\u4e14 (b\u00fa d\u00e0n…\u00e9r qi\u011b)<\/em> \u2014 not only… but also<\/h3>\n

\u5979\u4e0d\u4f46<\/strong>\u4f1a\u5531\u6b4c\uff0c\u800c\u4e14<\/strong>\u4f1a\u8df3\u821e\u3002
\n(t\u0101 b\u00fa d\u00e0n<\/strong> hu\u00ec ch\u00e0ng g\u0113, \u00e9r qi\u011b<\/strong> h\u00e1i ti\u00e0o w\u01d4.)
\n<\/em>Not only<\/strong> can she sing, but<\/strong> she can also<\/strong> dance.<\/p>\n

For some further explanation on how to use these different ways to say “and” in Chinese, check out this video from the Grace Mandarin Chinese<\/a> YouTube channel:<\/p>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Dropping the “And” in Chinese<\/h2>\n

When it comes to speech, native and fluent speakers tend to drop words that can be inferred from conversation or context. One such word is “and.”<\/p>\n

In spoken Chinese, you can drop the “and” to connect nouns.<\/p>\n

\u7238\u7238\u5988\u5988\u5230\u4e86\u5417\uff1f
\n(b\u00e0 ba m\u0101 ma d\u00e0o le ma?)
\n<\/em>Have Mom and Dad arrived yet?<\/p>\n

You can do the same when tying two actions to one subject.<\/p>\n

\u5979\u8dd1\u6b65\u6e38\u6cf3\u3002
\n(t\u0101 p\u01ceo b\u00f9 y\u00f3u y\u01d2ng.)
\n<\/em>She runs and swims.<\/p>\n

You can also drop the “and” to connect adverbs.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u8bf4\u8bdd\u5927\u58f0\u6e05\u6670\u3002
\n(t\u0101 shu\u014d hu\u00e0 d\u00e0 sh\u0113ng q\u012bng x\u012b.)
\n<\/em>He speaks loudly and clearly.<\/p>\n

And lastly, you can drop the “and” to connect adjectives.<\/p>\n

\u60a8\u7684\u8bf4\u660e\u5fc5\u987b\u6e05\u6670\u660e\u786e\u3002
\n(n\u00edn de shu\u014d m\u00edng b\u00ec x\u016b q\u012bng x\u012b m\u00edng qu\u00e8.)
\n<\/em>Your instructions need to be clear and specific.<\/p>\n

Now, why would I make you go through an entire list of translations for “and” in Chinese when there’s an option to not include it at all?<\/p>\n

Dropping the “and” can be risky<\/strong>, considering there are a lot of homonyms in Chinese. Two verbs, adjectives or adverbs put together without that clear division could sound like you’re saying a different word than you’d intended.<\/p>\n

When dropping the “and,” it helps to pause in place of the conjunction <\/strong>to separate the ideas. You can also use a comma if you’re writing informally in chat, text, email, etc.<\/p>\n

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with keeping the conjunction in spoken and written Mandarin. For clarity’s sake, keep the conjunction in there, and let’s\u00a0leave this option to the pros.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Quiz on Using “And” in Chinese<\/h2>\n

Now that we’ve gone over some different ways to connect words and phrases within a Chinese sentence, it’s time to test what you’ve learned!<\/p>\n

Take the quiz below (without peaking at the answers above!) and just refresh the page if you want to start over.\u00a0<\/p>\n