How common it is
而 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say ér slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
而用于连接两个对比或并列的句子，表示转折或并列关系。
ér yòng yú jiānlián liǎng gè duìbǐ huò bìngliè de jùzi, biǎoshì zhuǎnzhé huò bìngliè guānxì.
而 is used to connect two contrasting or parallel sentences, indicating a转折或并列关系 (turning point or parallel relationship).
Context note
而常见于描述两种情况的对比，或是表达两个观点之间的差异。
ér jìncān yú miáo shù liǎng zhǒng kuàngjí de duìbǐ, huò shì biǎo达liang gōuǎn diǎn jiānbié.
而 is commonly found in describing the contrast of two situations or expressing the difference between two viewpoints.
5 examples
他喜欢游泳，而我不喜欢。
tā xǐ huan yóu yǒng， ér wǒ bù xǐ huan。
He likes swimming, but I don't like it.
这个包很大，而且很贵。
zhè ge bāo hěn dà， ér qiě hěn guì。
This bag is big and also very expensive.
他喜欢吃水果，而我只吃蔬菜。
tā xǐ huan chī shuǐ guǒ， ér wǒ zhī chī shū cài。
He likes to eat fruits, but I only eat vegetables.
我们去公园散步，而他们去看电影。
wǒ men qù gōng yuán sàn bù， ér tā men qù kàn diàn yǐng。
We went for a walk in the park, while they went to watch a movie.
这个故事很有趣，而且很有教育意义。
zhè ge gù shì hěn yǒu qù， ér qiě hěn yǒu jiào yù yì yì。
This story is very interesting and also has educational value.
5 mini stories
妈妈喜欢喝茶，而爸爸更喜欢咖啡。
mā ma xǐ huan hē chá， ér bà ba gèng xǐ huan kā fēi。
Mom likes drinking tea, but Dad prefers coffee.
小明今天穿了新衣服，而小红还是旧的。
xiǎo míng jīn tiān chuān le xīn yī fu， ér xiǎo hóng hái shì jiù de。
Xiaoming wore new clothes today, while Xiaohong still has old ones.
我们昨天去了动物园，而今天去公园玩。
wǒ men zuó tiān qù le dòng wù yuán， ér jīn tiān qù gōng yuán wán。
We went to the zoo yesterday, and we went to the park to play today.
他喜欢画画，而她更喜欢唱歌。
tā xǐ huan huà huà， ér tā gèng xǐ huan chàng gē。
He likes drawing, but she prefers singing.
这个礼物很贵重，而且很有意义。
zhè ge lǐ wù hěn guì zhòng， ér qiě hěn yǒu yì yì。
This gift is very valuable and also meaningful.