Class Notes: Ultimate Guide to Chinese Linking Words (Conjunctions)

Objective

These notes summarize key points on linking words (conjunctions) in Chinese grammar—words that connect thoughts, sentences, or phrases. Mastering them is essential for improving spoken fluency and understanding.

1. Coordinating Conjunctions (Connecting Equal Ideas)

Most Common Structures and Words

• 和 (hé) – and
  • Usage: Connecting nouns.
    • Example: 我和朋友去了公园。She likes reading and listening to music.
• 也 (yě) – also/too
  • Usage: Adding similar information.
    • Example: 她也喜欢看电影。(She also likes watching movies.)
• 而且 (érqiě) – moreover
• 不仅...而且... (bùjǐn...érqiě...) – not only... but also...
  • Example: 她不仅漂亮，而且很聪明。
• 又...又... (yòu...yòu...) – both...and...
  • Example: 他又聪明又努力。
• Other formal (less common, more written) variants:
  • 及 (jí), 并且 (bìngqiě), 而 (ér)

2. Alternative Conjunctions (Choices and Otherwise)

Key Words

• 或者 (huòzhě) – or (in statements)
  • Example: 你可以坐车或者走路。(You can take a bus or walk.)
• 还是 (háishì) – or (in questions)
  • Example: 你喝茶还是咖啡？(Tea or coffee?)
• 要不然 (yàobùrán), 不然 (bùrán), 要不 (yàobù) – otherwise
  • Example: 你快点走，否则你会迟到。(Hurry or else you'll be late.)
• 要么...要么... (yàome...yàome...) – either...or...
  • Example: 要么今天完成，要么明天继续。

3. Adversative Conjunctions (Contrast/Opposition)

Key Words

• 但 (dàn), 但是 (dànshì) – but/however
  • Strong contrast.
• 可是 (kěshì) – but (softer contrast)
• 不过 (bùguò) – however (mild contrast, always for negatives)
• 然而 (rán'ér) – and yet/nevertheless (formal)

4. Causal and Resultative Conjunctions (Cause and Effect)

Key Words

• 因为...所以... (yīnwèi...suǒyǐ...) – because...so...
  • Cause + Result.
    • Example: 我喜欢她，因为她很友好。
• 既然...就... (jìrán...jiù...) – since...then...
  • Example: 既然天气这么好，我们就去野餐吧。
• 所以 (suǒyǐ) – so/therefore
• 然后 (ránhòu) – then/afterwards
  • For sequencing events.
    • Example: 我先做作业，然后看电视。
• 接着 (jiēzhe) – then/next (in stories or sequences)

5. Concessive Conjunctions (Although, Even If, No Matter)

Key Words and Patterns

• 虽然...但是... (suīrán... dànshì...) – although...but...
  • Example: 虽然她很忙，但是每天都去健身房。
• 即使...也... (jíshǐ... yě...) – even if...still...
  • Example: 即使下雨，他们也继续比赛。
• 哪怕...也... (nǎpà... yě...) – even if...still... (stronger tone)
• 无论/不管...都... (wúlùn/bùguǎn... dōu...) – no matter...
  • Example: 无论发生什么，我都会支持你。

6. Conditional Conjunctions (If/Unless/In Case)

Key Words

• 如果...就... (rúguǒ...jiù...) – if...then...
  • Example: 如果你有时间，就来我家坐坐。
• 要是... (yàoshì...) – if...(colloquial)
• 假如... (jiǎrú...) – if, supposing...(less likely, more hypothetical)
  • Example: 假如我有钱，我会去旅游。
• 除非...否则... (chúfēi... fǒuzé...) – unless...otherwise...
  • Example: 除非你道歉，否则我不会原谅你。
• 以免 (yǐmiǎn) – in case, so as to avoid
  • Example: 带把伞，以免下雨。

7. Comparative Conjunctions (Comparison and Contrast)

Key Words and Patterns

• 不仅...而且... (bùjǐn...érqiě...) – not only...but also...
• 反而 (fǎn'ér) – on the contrary
  • Example: 他不但没帮忙，反而添乱。
• 与其...不如... (yǔqí...bùrú...) – rather than...it’s better to...
  • Example: 与其抱怨，不如行动。
• 何况 (hékuàng) – let alone/much less
  • Example: 连老师都不会，何况我们？

8. Additional Useful Linking Words

• 一边...一边... (yìbiān...yìbiān...) – doing two things at the same time (while)
  • Example: 他一边听音乐一边做作业。
• 除了...以外 (chúle...yǐwài) – except for/besides
  • Example: 除了苹果，我都喜欢。
• 为了 (wèile) – in order to/so that (spoken)
  • Example: 请提前告诉我，好让我准备。
• 同时 (tóngshí) – at the same time; meanwhile

Tips for Mastery

• Focus on spoken/common variants first – some formal/written ones appear in exams or written Chinese but not in everyday speech.
• Practice with examples and repetition—immersion helps the subtle differences to become natural.
• Download and review the provided supplementary materials (PDFs, audio files).

Resources

• PDF with all example sentences (download link in the original context)
• Audio files (male/female voice versions) for practice

Review and master this list, and you’ll have all the essential linking words for fluent Chinese speaking and understanding!