University of Cambridge Language Centre Chinese Intermediate

Connectors

Conjunctions of co-ordination

Conjunctions of co-ordination are used to link two or several words, phrases, or sentences.

和 and
跟
同
与
及
但是 but
可是
不过
还是 or (in questions)
或者 or (in statements)

The several words for 'and' are interchangeable – the main difference is in the style they convey, e.g. 和 is used a lot both colloquially and in writing, while 与, 及, 并 are used mainly in a literary style. Note that 和 is only used to link nouns, pronouns, and phrases. It is NOT used to link clauses. Thus the Chinese equivalent of an English sentence such as 'He has just finished his PhD and he would like to look for a job in the UK.' is: 他刚读完博士，想在英国找一份工作。Note that only a comma is used to indicate the connection.

你和家人都挺好的吧？Are you and your family all well?

小贤也是香港人，不过我们是在这里认识的。Xian is from Hong Kong but we met here.

你打算买房还是租房？Do you plan to buy a house or to rent a house?

Subordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are used between two clauses. They can indicate a relation of:

  • causality/consequence: 因为 because，所以/ 因此 therefore, 这样 so that (lit. as in this way)

我对进出口贸易很感兴趣，所以希望能在销售部实习。I am interested in import and export, therefore (I) would like to do an internship in the Sales Department.

我把你的邮件地址给她吧，这样你们就可以直接联系了。I'll give her your email address so that you can contact each other directly.

  • condition: 只要 as long as，只有 only if，不管 no matter if, 如果/要是 if
    只要我能办到。I will help as long as I can do it.

如果真是那样的话，我一定去公司看你们！If it's the case, I’ll definitely go to the office to visit you!

  • concession: 即使/就是 even if, 虽然 although
    你即使什么都不说，他也会尽力帮忙的。 Even if you don’t say anything, he’ll do his best to help.

Please note that there are many more subordinating conjunctions.

Other connectors

Other connectors:

  • Introducing examples: 例如 for instance，比如 for instance
    笑笑周末上很多课，比如钢琴课，英语课，舞蹈课等等。Xiaoxiao takes a lot of lessons over the weekend, such as piano lesson, English lesson, dancing lesson, etc.
  • Indicating some addition: 甚至 even，至于 as to，而且 furthermore
    我们都挺喜欢这里的，而且我们已经买了房子了。We both quite like it here, furthermore, we’ve bought a flat here.

 

Connectors in context

Select the correct connector to complete the following sentences. You can click on 帮助 to access the translation of each sentence. You can click on the audio button to check your answers.

hint 1

1. 附件里是我的简历 求职信，请查收。

Attached are my CV and application letter, please check.

hint 2

2. 我在伦敦一切都好, 我好想念中国啊！

Everything is fine with me in London but I miss China so much!

hint 3

3. 你可以给我发邮件, 打电话也行。

You can email me or you can phone me.

hint 4

4. 我组织大家聚餐吧, 你就可以同大家见面了！

I'll organise a reunion meal so that you can see everyone!

hint 5

5. 我现在处理中英贸易, 常有机会去中国出差。

I'm now involved in Sino-British trade therefore I often have opportunities to go to China on business.

hint 6

6. 你什么时候到，都给我打个电话吧。

No matter what time you arrive, give me a ring.

hint 7

7. 你能来就好了！

If only you could come!

hint 8

8. 我们不常联系，但是我们的关系还是很好。

Although we don't contact each other very often, our relationship is still very good.

hint 9

9. 公司附近有很多中餐馆, 北京饭店、港式小厨，都很不错。

There are many Chinese restaurants near the office such as 'Beijing Restaurant' and 'Hong Kong Kitchen', which are both very good.

hint 10

10. 中国的很多地方我都要去看看，我, 还想去西藏呢！

There are many places in China that I want to visit; I even want to go to Tibet!

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