Essential Chinese Conjunction Words to Share with Your Kids
At school, your child says “I study hard. I get good grades.” That’s a decent start. But with conjunctions, it becomes “I study hard because I want good grades!” That’s the power of linking ideas! When your kid uses Chinese conjunction words (连词, lián cí), their Mandarin expression immediately sounds more fluent and logical. They can build complex, impressive sentences for homework, reports, and family stories.
Ready to share this match? Let’s dive into what these essential Chinese conjunction words are, their English buddies, and a full list for your next study session!
What Are Chinese Conjunction Words?
Chinese conjunction words are the crucial “glue” that connects words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. They build a clear bridge between two ideas, showing a logical relationship, like cause and effect, or contrast.
Learn authentic Chinese from those who live and breathe the culture.
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Get started free!Think of them as your child’s favorite English connectors: because, but, and, if, so. Learning their Chinese counterparts is the key to unlocking more sophisticated Mandarin. This skill is vital for mastering more complex Chinese sentence structures.
Key Differences: Chinese vs. English Conjunction Logic
While the meaning is similar, the usage and placement of Chinese connectors often differ from English, especially for K-12 students used to English syntax:
- Paired Structures are Mandatory: In English, you can often use “although” alone. In Chinese, many high-frequency conjunctions are mandatory pairs. For example:
- You must use 因为… 所以… (yīnwèi… suǒyǐ…, because… so…) to complete the logical loop. In English, we rarely say “I study hard, so I get good grades.” in formal writing, but the pair is common and often necessary in Chinese.
- Sentence Placement: English sometimes allows connectors like “however” or “but” to start the sentence (“However, the dog ran away.”) or appear in the middle.
- In Chinese, the connector is almost always placed before the clause it modifies, and single words like 但是 (dànshì, but) typically introduce the second clause, not the sentence’s absolute beginning (in speech, exceptions occur).
- Topic First Logic: Chinese often prefers putting the background or condition first. 虽然…但是… (suīrán… dànshì…, although… but…) requires the concession (Although it was difficult) to be stated before the result (but I finished it). This reinforces a topic-first thinking pattern compared to subject-first English.
- Avoiding Redundancy: English can use “and” to connect many ideas. Chinese often demands more specific, logical connectors (并且, 而且), rather than overusing 和 (hé, and) to connect long clauses or sentences.
Share the Top Categories and Words
To make it easy, we can group Chinese conjunction words by the kind of relationship they show. Share 因为 as your ‘because’ best friend! This is the most common pair of Chinese conjunction words K-12 students master.
| Category | Pinyin | Chinese Characters | English Equivalent | Shareable Example |
| Cause & Effect | zhèng yīn wèi | 正因为 | precisely because | 正因为他努力，所以才进步。 (Precisely because he worked hard, he improved.) |
| yóu yú | 由于 | because of / due to | 由于下雨，比赛取消了。 (Due to the rain, the game was canceled.) | |
| yīn ér | 因而 | thus / hence / therefore | 他病了，因而没来上课。 (He was sick, thus didn’t come to class.) | |
| yīn cǐ ér | 因此而 | therefore, and | 努力学习，因此而得了高分。 (Studied hard, therefore got a high score.) | |
| cóng ér | 从而 | thus | 努力学习，从而提高了成绩。 (Studied hard, thus improved the grades.) | |
| yú shì | 于是 | so / therefore / as a result | 他很饿，于是去吃饭了。 (He was hungry, so he went to eat.) | |
| Contrast/Concession | jí shǐ | 即使 | even if / even though | 即使很难，我们也要试试。 (Even if it’s hard, we must try.) |
| nǎ pà | 哪怕 | even if / even though | 哪怕失败，也不要放弃。 (Even if you fail, don’t give up.) | |
| rán ér | 然而 | however / nevertheless | 他很努力，然而结果不理想。 (He worked hard, however the result was not ideal.) | |
| nǎ pà… yĕ | 哪怕…也… | even if… still… | 哪怕迟到，我也要去看电影。 (Even if I’m late, I still want to see the movie.) | |
| jìn guǎn rú cǐ | 尽管如此 | even so / nevertheless | 作业很多，尽管如此，我还是完成了。 (There was a lot of homework, nevertheless, I finished it.) | |
| fǎn ér | 反而 | on the contrary | 他不但没哭，反而笑了。 (Not only did he not cry, on the contrary, he smiled.) | |
| zòng shǐ | 纵使 | even if | 纵使有困难，我们也要完成它。 (Even if there are difficulties, we must complete it.) | |
| suī rán rú cǐ | 话虽如此 | that being said / even so | 话虽如此，我们还是要小心。 (That being said, we still need to be careful.) | |
| Condition/Assumption | yī dàn… jiù | 一旦…就… | once…then… | 一旦开始，就要坚持下去。 (Once you start, then you must persist.) |
| rú guǒ shuō | 如果说 | if we say / if it is said | 如果说学习是跑道，那连词就是加速器。 (If we say learning is a track, then conjunctions are the accelerator.) | |
| yào shi | 要是 | if / in case | 要是你想去，我们可以一起去。 (If you want to go, we can go together.) | |
| chú fēi | 除非 | unless | 除非下雨，否则我们去踢球。 (Unless it rains, we will play soccer.) | |
| zhǐ yào… jiù | 只要…就… | as long as…, then… | 只要努力，就会成功。 (As long as you work hard, then you will succeed.) | |
| fǒu zé | 否则 | otherwise / or else | 快点走，否则我们会迟到。 (Hurry up, otherwise we will be late.) | |
| bù guǎn… dōu | 不管…都… | no matter…, always | 不管多晚，他都会看书。 (No matter how late, he always reads.) | |
| wú lùn | 无论 | no matter / regardless of | 无论如何，明天都要完成。 (Regardless of what happens, finish it tomorrow.) | |
| jiù suàn | 就算 | even if | 就算不成功，你也尽力了。 (Even if you don’t succeed, you did your best.) | |
| wàn yī | 万一 | in case | 带伞吧，万一下雨呢。 (Take an umbrella, in case it rains.) | |
| shè shǐ | 设使 | in case | 设使他同意，我们就出发。 (In case he agrees, we will set off.) | |
| ruò shì | 若是 | if | 若是明天晴天，我们去公园。 (If tomorrow is sunny, we will go to the park.) | |
| yǐ miǎn | 以免 | so as not to | 小心说话，以免引起误会。 (Speak carefully, so as not to cause misunderstanding.) | |
| nìng kě | 宁可 | would rather / prefer to | 我宁可走路，也不愿坐公交车。 (I would rather walk than take the bus.) | |
| Coordination/Selection | bú jǐn… ér qiě | 不仅…而且… | not only… but also… | 他不仅聪明，而且很努力。 (He is not only smart, but also very hardworking.) |
| bìng qiě | 并且 | and | 她很聪明，并且工作努力。 (She is very smart, and she works hard.) | |
| jì… yòu… | 既…又… | both… and… | 这本书既有趣又有知识。 (This book is both interesting and knowledgeable.) | |
| yī biān… yī biān | 一边…一边… | doing … while doing … | 他一边听音乐，一边做作业。 (He is doing homework while doing listening to music.) | |
| huò shì | 或是 | or / either | 你想喝茶或是咖啡？ (Do you want tea or coffee?) | |
| yào me… yào me | 要么…要么… | either … or … | 要么学习，要么看书。 (Either study, or read a book.) | |
| Time/Sequence | tóng shí | 同时 | at the same time / simultaneously | 同时，我们应该注意安全。 (At the same time, we should pay attention to safety.) |
| yī lái… èr lái | 一来…二来… | firstly… secondly… | 一来天气不好，二来我也累了。 (Firstly the weather is bad, secondly I’m tired.) | |
| Addition/Summary | ér qiě | 而且 | moreover | 这项任务很难，而且很耗时。 (This task is hard, moreover, it is time-consuming.) |
| zǒng zhī | 总之 | in short | 总之，多练习是关键。 (In short, more practice is the key.) | |
| yǐ biàn | 以便 | so that / in order to | 我早点出门，以便赶上火车。 (I left early, so that I could catch the train.) | |
| zǒng ér yán zhī | 总而言之 | in summary / all in all | 总而言之，今天的课很有趣。 (In summary, today’s class was interesting.) | |
| Advanced Transitions | shí jì shang | 实际上 | in fact / actually | 实际上，我早就知道答案了。 (In fact, I already knew the answer.) |
| huàn yán zhī | 换言之 | in other words | 换言之，逻辑清晰很重要。 (In other words, clear logic is very important.) | |
| bì jìng | 毕竟 | after all | 毕竟他是第一次做，给他点时间。 (After all it’s his first time, give him some time.) | |
| zǒng tǐ lái kàn | 总体来看 | overall / generally speaking | 总体来看，这是一个好计划。 (Overall, this is a good plan.) | |
| yī fāng miàn… lìng yī fāng miàn | 一方面…另一方面… | on one hand… on the other hand… | 一方面我喜欢，另一方面我担心。 (On one hand I like it, on the other hand I worry.) | |
| zhè yàng yī lái | 这样一来 | in this way | 这样一来，问题就解决了。 (In this way, the problem is solved.) | |
| Advanced Fixed Phrases | guī gēn jié dǐ | 归根结底 | in the final analysis | 归根结底，态度决定一切。 (In the final analysis, attitude determines everything.) |
| jiān yú cǐ | 鉴于此 | in view of this / considering this | 鉴于此，我们决定改变策略。 (Considering this, we decided to change the strategy.) | |
| bù kě fǒu rèn | 不可否认 | undeniably | 不可否认，他很有天赋。 (Undeniably, he is very talented.) |
Real-Life Examples for Common Chinese Conjunction Words
Here are simple, relatable dialogues that show how your family can use these Chinese conjunction words in daily life and school scenarios. This is your family application time!
| Conjunction | Scenario Dialogue |
| 因为…所以 | Parent: 你为什么这么开心？ (Nǐ wèishénme zhème kāixīn? – Why are you so happy?) Child: 因为我的报告得了A，所以我很高兴！ (Yīnwèi wǒ de bàogào déle A, suǒyǐ wǒ hěn gāoxìng! – Because my report got an A, so I am happy!) |
| 虽然…但是 | Parent: 今天很冷，你还要出去玩吗？ (Jīntiān hěn lěng, nǐ hái yào chūqù wán ma? – It’s cold today, do you still want to go out?) Child: 虽然天气很冷，但是我想去打篮球。 (Suīrán tiānqì hěn lěng, dànshì wǒ xiǎng qù dǎ lánqiú. – Although the weather is cold, but I want to go play basketball.) |
| 如果…就 | Parent: 我们什么时候可以看电影？ (Wǒmen shénme shíhou kěyǐ kàn diànyǐng? – When can we watch a movie?) Child: 如果我做完家务，就可以看电影。 (Rúguǒ wǒ zuò wán jiāwù, jiù kěyǐ kàn diànyǐng. – If I finish my chores, then I can watch a movie.) |
Why Conjunctions Matter in Chinese learning
Mastering Chinese conjunction words isn’t just about sounding better, it’s essential for K-12 academic success and fluency, effectively bridging their English logical thinking into Mandarin.
These essential connectors offer profound advantages:
Bridging Logic and Elevating Expression
- Transferring Logic: Conjunctions help your student transfer the innate logical thinking they use in U.S. school reports (cause-and-effect, contrast, condition) directly into Mandarin. They avoid simple, choppy sentences and build complex, sophisticated arguments.
- Clearer Communication: By using paired Chinese conjunction words like 因为…所以 (because… so), they clearly signal the relationship between ideas, preventing misunderstandings and boosting conversational flow in family application time.
Academic Success and Fluency Jump
- AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam: These words are crucial for linking ideas in the required compositions and speaking tasks. They demonstrate the grammatical sophistication needed for high scores.
- Fluency Jump Data: Studies show that students who effectively integrate conjunctions often see their writing complexity and coherence improve by over 20%. It moves them from basic sentence construction to genuine paragraph-level thinking.
- American Classroom Application: Conjunctions help your child present a logical, well-supported narrative, whether they are discussing history or writing a descriptive story in Chinese, a key skill valued in the U.S. education system. Using Chinese conjunction words is proof of advanced mastery.
Share Common Pitfalls and Fixes
When bridging English and Chinese, it’s easy to stumble! Here are 3 common mistakes with Chinese conjunction words and simple fixes:
English Order Interference
- Mistake: Putting 但是 (dànshì/but) at the end of a sentence, like English.
- Fix: In Chinese, the conjunction usually comes at the start of the second clause: 我喜欢猫，但是我不喜欢狗。 (I like cats, but I don’t like dogs.)
Over-Usage of “And” (和)
- Mistake: Using 和 to connect long sentences or clauses. Chinese often prefers specific, logical connectors like 而且 (érqiě/furthermore) or 但是 (dànshì/but).
- Fix: Only use 和 to connect nouns or very short phrases. Use specific Chinese conjunction words for clauses!
Omitting Paired Connectors
- Mistake: Only using 虽然 (suīrán/although) and forgetting to add 但是 (dànshì/but) later in the sentence.
- Fix: Always pair them! Remember the pattern: 虽然…但是… and 因为…所以… are complete structures.
Master Chinese Conjunctions with Wukong!
Ready to level up your child’s Chinese from simple sentences to sophisticated storytelling? That’s what mastering Chinese conjunction words does!
At Wukong Chinese, we recognize that true fluency means connecting ideas with logic and clarity, just like your K-12 student does naturally in English. These connectors are the missing piece for powerful Mandarin essays, fluent conversation, and confident performance on standardized tests like the AP Chinese exam.
This guide will break down the crucial Chinese conjunction words:
- Their definitions and simple English “buddies.”
- How to use them to bridge English logic into Chinese thinking.
- Fun, practical ways to use them during family application time!
Let’s share the essential tools your child needs to turn choppy statements into eloquent expressions!
Conclusion
From definition to daily use, these Chinese conjunction words are the upgrade your K-12 student needs to supercharge their Mandarin! They don’t just connect words; they link logic, dramatically improving clarity and fluency. Mastering these essential Chinese conjunction words will give your child a competitive edge in their Chinese studies.
Encourage your child to use 因为, 但是, and 如果 in your next family chat! For more resources to boost your child’s Chinese reading and writing skills, explore the comprehensive programs offered by Wukong Education!
FAQ Block
但是 (dànshì) most commonly matches “but” or “however” in English.
In formal or written Chinese, it is best practice to use the pair 因为…所以… to clearly signal the full cause-and-effect relationship, showing logical completeness.
和 (hé) means “and” (connects nouns/short phrases). 而且 (érqiě) means “moreover” or “but also” (connects clauses, showing progression or added information).
Share these as Transition Phrases rather than simple conjunctions. 归根结底 (guī gēn jié dǐ, in the final analysis) helps structure high-level essays and arguments.
一旦…就… (yī dàn… jiù…, once… then…) is used for a single, immediate condition. Share it as: “Once this happens, that follows.”
然后 (rán hòu) is a common sequential transition word (then, after that), often used to link actions in time, but it functions more as an adverb than a core conjunction like 因为.
The Chinese conjunction for “unless” is 除非 (chú fēi). For example: 除非你来，我们才去。 (Unless you come, we won’t go.)
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Lea is a passionate educator and writer,hailing from Beijing Jiaotong University where she graduated with a degree in English.With a deep understanding of education and a knack for making learning engaging,she brings a unique blend of knowledge and creativity to her writing.Whether crafting educational content or sharing tips on making math fun,Lea’s goal is to inspire and empower both parents and children on their learning journey.
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