How to Say “And” in Chinese: With Pinyin and Examples

There are many different ways to express “and” in Chinese characters, such as “和” (hé), “与” (yǔ), “且” (qiě), and “及” (jí). Each of these terms has its nuances and is used in various contexts, adding richness to the language.

For instance, “和” is the most common and versatile, suitable for everyday conversation, while “与” tends to be more formal, often found in written texts. “且” can imply a sequential relationship or contrast, making it useful in literary works. “及” is frequently used in formal or academic contexts, particularly when listing items.

Understanding these distinctions not only enhances our comprehension of the language but also improves our ability to communicate effectively in different situations. Let’s explore their pinyin and usage scenarios together.

1. 和 (hé)

In Mainland China, the character “和” literally means “and”. It is often used to connect nouns and pronouns. For an English speaker, it has a neutral tone and is widely used in spoken and written Chinese in various ways, including everyday conversations and more formal contexts. Understanding the correct usage of “和” can enhance communication skills in Mandarin.

If you are learning Chinese, you may want to know when they use 和, 也, or 而且, and when they use another phrase or simply pause.

Examples

• 他们参观了博物馆和艺术馆。
  (Tāmen cānguānle bówùguǎn hé yìshùguǎn.)
  They visited the museum and the art gallery.
• 我买了苹果和橙子。
  (Wǒ mǎile píngguǒ hé chéngzi.)
  I bought apples and oranges.
• 他买了一支钢笔、一个笔记本和一把尺子。
  (Tā mǎile yī zhī gāngbǐ, yī gè bǐjìběn hé yī bǎ chǐzi.)
  He bought a pen, a notebook, and a ruler.
• 你和我是好朋友。
  (Nǐ hé wǒ shì hǎo péngyǒu.)
  You and I are good friends.

2. 也 (yě)

The Mandarin Chinese character 也 (yě) is a commonly used adverb that connects verbs or verb phrases, translating to “and” or “also.” Its pinyin is “yě,” and it is used in various sentence structures to add elements or indicate a similar situation. It has a light tone and is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, applicable in casual chats and formal writing.

In addition to connecting verbs, 也 (yě) can also connect adjectives, enhancing descriptions and providing additional information. For example, it can join two adjectives to express the qualities of a noun more vividly.

There are a few Mandarin Chinese words that can be translated as “and,” but which more accurately mean “furthermore,” “moreover,” or other such transition words. Understanding these nuances can help in choosing the right word for effective communication.

Examples

• 公园在春天很美，秋天也很迷人。
  (Gōngyuán zài chūntiān hěn měi, qiūtiān yě hěn mírén.)
  The park is beautiful in the spring, and it looks stunning in the fall.
• 他吉他弹得很好，也在学习弹钢琴。
  (Tā jítā tán de hěn hǎo, yě zài xuéxí tán gāngqín.)
  He plays the guitar well, and he is learning to play the piano.
• 这部电影很刺激，配乐也很棒。
  (Zhè bù diànyǐng hěn cìjī, pèiyuè yě hěn bàng.)
  The movie was exciting, and the soundtrack was amazing.

3. 又 (Yòu)

In Chinese, “又” (yòu) serves as a conjunction that means “and” in the context of adding information, particularly when referring to actions or states that are repeated or co-occurring. It can also imply a sense of contrast or enhancement.

Examples

• 这条河又宽又深。
  (Zhè tiáo hé yòu kuān yòu shēn.)
  This river is both wide and deep.
• 她的裙子又漂亮又时尚。
  (Tā de qúnzi yòu piàoliang yòu shíshàng.)
  Her dress is both beautiful and fashionable.
• 这个房间又大又干净。
  (Zhège fángjiān yòu dà yòu gānjìng.)
  This room is both big and clean.

[When the subjects of the two sentences are the same, the second one can be omitted.] (In English, square brackets are commonly used to indicate additional information, citations, annotations, or elements of arrays and lists.)

4. 然后 (ránhòu)

“然后” (ránhòu) translates to “and then” or “after that” in English. It is used to connect sequential actions or events, indicating a progression in time or steps taken.

Examples

• 他起床、洗脸，然后吃早饭。
  (Tā qǐchuáng, xǐ liǎn, ránhòu chī zǎofàn.)
  “He got up, washed his face, and then had breakfast.”
• 她打开门，走进房间，然后打开灯。
  (Tā dǎkāi mén, zǒu jìn fángjiān, ránhòu dǎkāi dēng.)
  “She opened the door, walked into the room, and then turned on the light.”
• 我拿起电话，拨了号码，然后等待接听。
  (Wǒ ná qǐ diànhuà, bōle hàomǎ, ránhòu děngdài jiētīng.)
  “I picked up the phone, dialed the number, and then waited for the answer.”

5. 与 (yǔ)

“与” is pronounced “yǔ.” It has a more formal and literary feel compared to “和.” It is often used in written language, especially in official documents, academic writing, and classical Chinese texts. However, it can also be used in spoken language in certain formal settings.

Examples

• 两国之间的友好关系与合作至关重要。
  (Liǎng guó zhī jiān de yǒuhǎo guānxi yǔ hézuò zhìguān zhòngyào.)
  The friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries are of crucial importance.
• 鱼与熊掌不可兼得。
  (Yú yǔ xióngzhǎng bù kě jiān dé.)
  You can’t have both fish and bear’s paw.
• 理论与实践相结合是成功的关键。
  (Lǐlùn yǔ shíjiàn xiāng jiéhé shì chénggōng de guānjiàn.)
  Combining theory with practice is the key to success.

6. 及 (jí)

Pronounced “jí,” “及” is used to connect items in a list where there is often a sense of a sequence or a hierarchy. The items after “及” are sometimes considered secondary or supplementary to the ones before it.

Examples

• 出席会议的有领导、专家及工作人员。
  (Chūxí huìyì de yǒu lǐngdǎo, zhuānjiā jí gōngzuò rényuán.)
  Those attending the meeting include leaders, experts, and staff members.
• 会议的议程包括讨论、决策及总结。
  (Huìyì de yìchéng bāokuò tǎolùn, juécè jí zǒngjié.)
  The agenda of the meeting includes discussion, decision-making, and summarization.
• 他们讨论经济、政治及社会问题。
  (Tāmen tǎolùn jīngjì, zhèngzhì jí shèhuì wèntí.)
  They discuss economic, political, and social issues.

7. 且 (qiě)

“且” is pronounced “qiě.” It is often used to connect adjectives or verbs, and it can express a sense of both addition and a certain degree of emphasis. It is more commonly used in written language, especially in more elaborate or literary expressions.

Examples

• 他的演讲精彩且富有感染力。
  (Tā de yǎnjiǎng jīngcǎi qiě fùyǒu gǎnrǎn lì.)
  “His speech is wonderful and inspiring.”
• 这个孩子聪明且勤奋。
  (Zhège háizi cōngmíng qiě qínfèn.)
  “This child is smart and hardworking.”
• 你要想成功，需努力且有耐心。
  (Nǐ yào xiǎng chénggōng, xū nǔlì qiě yǒu nàixīn.)
  “If you want to succeed, you need to work hard and be patient.”

8. 以及 (yǐjí)

“以及” often connects more than two nouns or two phrases, and this usage applies to both simplified and traditional Chinese. The English word can represent “and.” It is similar to “和” but it often gives a more elaborate or inclusive feel.

It can be used to connect various types of words, including nouns, phrases, and clauses. This connection is commonly found in both spoken and written language, particularly in situations where the list is more complex or when there is a need to demonstrate comprehensive inclusion of items.

Examples

• 这次活动准备了水果、饮料以及点心。
  (Zhè cì huódòng zhǔnbèi le shuǐguǒ, yǐnliào yǐjí diǎnxīn.)
  “For this event, fruits, drinks, and snacks have been prepared.”
• 他喜欢阅读历史书籍以及研究古代文化。
  (Tā xǐhuān yuèdú lìshǐ shūjí yǐjí yánjiū gǔdài wénhuà.)
  “He enjoys reading historical books and researching ancient culture.”
• 我们要考虑到成本、市场需求以及竞争对手的情况。
  (Wǒmen yào kǎolǜ dào chéngběn, shìchǎng xūqiú yǐjí jìngzhēng duìshǒu de qíngkuàng.)
  “We need to take into account the cost, market demand, and the situation of our competitors.”

9. Drop the “AND” in Chinese

In Chinese, words like “和 (hé)”, “且 (qiě)”, and “并 (bìng)” often function similarly to “and” in English. They are used to connect various words, phrases, or sentences, presenting relationships such as parallelism or progression. However, just as English writing sometimes avoids overusing “and” to pursue rich and flexible expressions, in Chinese, we can also attempt to drop these connecting words.

By skillfully using punctuation marks, adjusting sentence structures, or choosing alternative expressions, we can add more variety to sentences, avoid monotony, and convey ideas more exquisitely and with more layers, thus offering readers a unique reading experience.

Examples

• 她在聚会上唱歌跳舞。
  (Tā zài jùhuì shàng chànggē tiàowǔ.)
  “She sings and dances at the party.”
• 我喜欢音乐，我妹妹喜欢绘画。
  (Wǒ xǐhuān yīnyuè, wǒ mèimei xǐhuān huìhuà.)
  “I like music, and my sister enjoys painting.”
• 他生病了，今天不能来上学。
  (Tā shēngbìng le, jīntiān bùnéng lái shàngxué.)
  “He is ill, and he can’t come to school today.”

Conclusion

As we’ve explored these different ways to say “and” in Chinese characters, it’s clear that the Chinese language offers a remarkable variety of options, each with its own unique characteristics. Whether you’re using the common “和” in daily conversations, the more formal “与” the sequential “及” the emphatic “且” or the comprehensive “以及” choosing the right word can make your Chinese expressions more accurate, nuanced, and natural.

By incorporating these different ways of expressing “and” into your language learning, you’ll not only expand your vocabulary but also gain a deeper understanding of the subtleties of the Chinese language. So, keep practicing and using these words in your speaking and writing, and watch as your Chinese language skills reach new heights.

FAQs

Q1: What does gei mean in Chinese?

“给” (gěi) means “to give” or “to provide.” It is commonly used to indicate the action of giving something to someone. For example:

• 请给我打电话。
  Please give me a call.
• Explanation: Here, “给” indicates the direction of the action, meaning the act of calling is directed toward “me.”
• 我想给他买一个生日礼物。
  I want to buy him a birthday gift.
• Explanation: In this example, “给” shows that the ownership of the gift is being transferred to him, emphasizing the purpose of buying the gift.

Q2: What does nín mean in Chinese?

“您” (nín) is a polite form of “you.” It is used to show respect, often when addressing elders or in formal situations. For example:

• Example: 您好，您贵姓？
  Hello, may I ask your surname?
• Explanation: This greeting uses “您” to show respect, commonly used when meeting someone for the first time.
• Example: 您觉得这部电影怎么样？
  What do you think of this movie?
• Explanation: Using “您” when asking for someone’s opinion conveys that their views are valued, making the inquiry more polite and considerate. Additionally, in Chinese, quotation marks are commonly used to denote direct speech or to highlight specific terms or phrases.

Q3: What is the double dot U in Chinese?

The “double dot U” in Chinese typically refers to the pinyin letter “ü,” which is used to represent the sound similar to the German “ü” or the French “u.”

• It is pronounced as a rounded front vowel, similar to the English “ee” in “see,” but with the lips rounded.
• This sound appears in certain Chinese characters, such as “女” (nǚ, meaning “female”) and “绿” (lǜ, meaning “green”).

The “ü” is essential for distinguishing between words that would otherwise be spelled the same without the umlaut, as it can change the meaning of the word.