How to Say ‘And’ in Chinese: 和, 跟, 而且 and More

If you’ve ever wondered how to say ‘and’ in Chinese, the first word most people learn is 和 (hé). But here’s the catch: it connects nouns and pronouns, not actions, and it never joins two clauses.

Saying "I went home and cooked dinner" using 和 (hé) is one of those classic learner mistakes, and it sounds unnatural to a native speaker.

Why 'And' in Chinese Isn't a Simple Translation

Connecting ideas is what turns single words into real, flowing sentences. But unlike English, Mandarin doesn’t have a single, catch-all word for "and". This is one of the first big grammar hurdles beginners face, and getting it right is a big step towards sounding fluent.

The secret is all about context. The word you choose for "and" depends entirely on what you’re trying to link together.

Different Jobs Need Different Tools

Think of Chinese conjunctions like tools in a toolbox. You wouldn’t use a hammer to drive in a screw, right? In the same way, the word you use to connect nouns is different from the one for linking actions or entire clauses.

The core idea to remember is this: Chinese grammar cares deeply about the relationship between ideas. The word for 'and' has to match the type of connection you're making—whether it's a simple list, a sequence of events, or an extra thought.

Understanding this difference is fundamental to building proper sentences, and it's why word-for-word translation from English so often goes wrong. If you want a refresher on basic word order first, see our guide to building sentences in Chinese.

Connecting Nouns with 和, 跟 and 与

To say ‘and’ in Chinese, the first and most important rule to grasp is that some words are reserved almost exclusively for linking nouns or noun phrases. This is a complete departure from the English ‘and’, which can connect pretty much anything.

The three main players for this job are 和 (hé), 跟 (gēn), and 与 (yǔ). Each has its own distinct flavour and is used in different social settings.

和 (hé): Your Everyday Connector

Think of 和 (hé) as your go-to, all-purpose word for ‘and’. It’s the most common and neutral way to link two or more nouns in both everyday conversation and writing.

If you’re ever stuck on which word to use for a simple list of things, 和 (hé) is almost always a safe bet. In a list of three or more, it goes only before the last item, with the others separated by the enumeration comma 、. (In formal writing you'll occasionally see 和 join two verbs that share an object, as in 研究和开发, 'research and development', but in everyday speech stick to nouns.)

Let’s see it in action:

• Example 1: 我喜欢茶和咖啡。

  • wǒ xǐhuan chá hé kāfēi.
  • I like tea and coffee.

• Example 2: 桌子上有书和笔。

  • zhuōzi shàng yǒu shū hé bǐ.
  • There are books and pens on the table.

This straightforward usage makes it a cornerstone for anyone starting out in Mandarin.

跟 (gēn): The Conversational Option

Next up is 跟 (gēn), which often feels a bit more conversational than 和 (hé), and is especially common in northern China. While it translates to 'and' when linking nouns, its original meaning is closer to 'with' or 'to follow'. This gives it a subtle nuance of accompaniment or togetherness.

You'll often hear 跟 (gēn) used between people, implying a connection or a shared activity.

You can often swap 和 (hé) and 跟 (gēn) without any problem, especially when linking people. For lists of things, 和 (hé) is the more usual choice.

Take a look at this example:

• Example: 我跟朋友去看电影了。
  • wǒ gēn péngyou qù kàn diànyǐng le.
  • I went to see a film with a friend. (Literally: I and friend went to see a film. 和 would also work here.)

与 (yǔ): The Formal Option

Finally, we have 与 (yǔ). This is the formal, literary equivalent of 和 (hé). You will rarely hear 与 (yǔ) in casual, spoken Mandarin. Using it in a conversation with friends would be like wearing a dinner jacket to a barbecue: technically correct, but out of place.

Save 与 (yǔ) for more serious contexts. It’s most commonly found in:

• Written documents and academic papers
• Official speeches and news broadcasts
• Titles of books, films and organisations, such as 《战争与和平》 (zhànzhēng yǔ hépíng), War and Peace

Here is an example you might come across in a business or academic context:

• Example: 工业与农业
  • gōngyè yǔ nóngyè
  • Industry and agriculture

You may also meet two other formal or regional options. 同 (tóng) can join nouns like 和, but it's mostly written or used in southern China. 及 (jí) is a formal written word, the shorter form of 以及 (yǐjí), which comes next.

Longer Lists with 以及 and 还有

Once you've got the hang of connecting simple nouns with 和 (hé), you'll want to build longer lists. Two useful words help here: 以及 (yǐjí) and 还有 (háiyǒu). While 和 (hé) is perfect for basic "A and B" sentences, these two step in when you need to add more items or longer phrases.

Using 以及 (yǐjí) for Formal Lists

Let's start with 以及 (yǐjí). The best way to think about this one is as 'as well as' or 'in addition to'. It carries a more formal, almost literary, tone. You’re far more likely to see it in written documents, academic papers, or official announcements than to hear it in a casual chat with a friend.

One of the main jobs of 以及 (yǐjí) is to tack on a final item or group of items to an already established list. It works especially well for connecting longer phrases or distinct categories, and it gives a little extra weight or separation to that final element.

Here's a classic example:

• Example: 这次会议讨论了经济发展、环境保护以及社会稳定等问题。
  • zhè cì huìyì tǎolùnle jīngjì fāzhǎn, huánjìng bǎohù yǐjí shèhuì wěndìng děng wèntí.
  • The meeting discussed economic development, environmental protection as well as social stability, among other issues.

See how 以及 (yǐjí) brings in the last item? This is a common, polished structure in formal written Chinese.

Adding More with 还有 (háiyǒu)

Now for 还有 (háiyǒu). This is your friendly, everyday tool for making lists longer. It’s much closer to 'and also', 'plus', or 'there is also'. It’s the perfect, natural-sounding way to add extra bits of information on the fly when you're speaking.

If you’re just listing things off the top of your head, 还有 (háiyǒu) is what you'll instinctively reach for. It keeps the conversation flowing smoothly without sounding stiff or like you're reading from a script.

Think of it like this: If you're giving a prepared speech, you might structure your points with 以及 (yǐjí). If you're telling a friend what you bought at the shop, you'll almost certainly use 还有 (háiyǒu).

Here’s how you’d use it in a normal conversation:

• Example: 我买了苹果、香蕉，还有一些牛奶。
  • wǒ mǎile píngguǒ, xiāngjiāo, háiyǒu yìxiē niúnǎi.
  • I bought apples, bananas, and also some milk.

Getting comfortable with both 以及 (yǐjí) and 还有 (háiyǒu) gives you the flexibility to build lists that sound right for any situation, whether you’re writing a formal report or just chatting about your day.

Linking Actions and Ideas

So far, we’ve been connecting things—nouns, like 'you and me' or 'cats and dogs'. But what about actions or ideas? How do you say "I read a book and listened to music"?

This is where a lot of learners trip up.

Here’s the golden rule: don't use 和 (hé) to connect clauses, or verbs in everyday speech. It’s perfect for linking nouns, but using it for actions makes your Chinese sound wrong. Often you need no connecting word at all: 我看了书，听了音乐 (wǒ kànle shū, tīngle yīnyuè) already means "I read a book and listened to music". When you do want a link word, you have a different set of tools: 也 (yě), 还 (hái), 而且 (érqiě), 并且 (bìngqiě) and 又…又… (yòu…yòu…).

Using 也 (yě) and 还 (hái) for 'Also'

These two everyday adverbs do a lot of the work that 'and' does in English. Both go before the verb, never at the start of the sentence the way English 'also' can.

• 也 (yě) means 'also' or 'too': 我喜欢喝茶，也喜欢喝咖啡。(wǒ xǐhuan hē chá, yě xǐhuan hē kāfēi.) - I like tea, and I like coffee too. It also links different people doing the same thing: 他是学生，我也是学生。(tā shì xuésheng, wǒ yě shì xuésheng.) - He's a student, and so am I.
• 还 (hái) adds another action: 我买了衣服，还买了鞋。(wǒ mǎile yīfu, hái mǎile xié.) - I bought some clothes, and some shoes as well.

Using 而且 (érqiě) to Add Another Layer

Think of 而且 (érqiě) as your way of saying 'furthermore', 'what's more', or 'not only that, but also...'. It connects two ideas, and the second one usually adds something new or goes further than the first. It often pairs with 不但 (búdàn) or 不仅 (bùjǐn) in the pattern 不但…而且… ('not only… but also…').

It’s perfect when you want to make a point more persuasive.

• Example: 他很聪明，而且很努力。
  • tā hěn cōngming, érqiě hěn nǔlì.
  • He's clever, and on top of that he works hard.

See how "hardworking" adds another dimension to "smart"? It makes the description more powerful. The two qualities are related, but they aren't just a simple list.

Using 并且 (bìngqiě) to Add a Second Action

Next up is 并且 (bìngqiě). This one is best translated as 'and also' or 'in addition'. It's often used to link two actions done by the same person, and it sounds a little more formal than the other words here, so you'll meet it more in writing than in chat.

It overlaps a lot with 而且 (érqiě), and in many sentences either works.

Here's a rough way to tell them apart: 而且 (érqiě) adds a further point, often one that goes beyond the first. 并且 (bìngqiě) more often simply adds a second action, in a slightly formal register.

Let's look at an example:

• Example: 他完成了作业，并且复习了今天学的生词。
  • tā wánchéngle zuòyè, bìngqiě fùxíle jīntiān xué de shēngcí.
  • He finished his homework and also went over the new words he'd learned that day.

Both actions are done by the same person, and 并且 (bìngqiě) adds the second one.

Using 又…又… (yòu…yòu…) to Link Two Qualities

Finally, we have the incredibly handy 又 (yòu). This is your go-to word when you want to describe one thing or person using two different adjectives. It's the perfect way to say things like "She is smart and beautiful."

The pattern is simple: 又 (yòu) + Adjective 1 + 又 (yòu) + Adjective 2, with no comma in between. It can also link two verbs, as in 又唱又跳 (yòu chàng yòu tiào), 'singing and dancing'.

• Example: 这个西瓜又大又甜。
  • zhège xīguā yòu dà yòu tián.
  • This watermelon is both big and sweet.

Getting these connectors down is how you move from simple statements to natural-sounding sentences that show how different ideas and actions relate to each other.

Choosing the Right Chinese Conjunction

Deciding which 'and' to use can feel tricky at first, but it gets easier with practice. This table breaks down the key differences to help you choose the right connector for the job. Think about what you're connecting and how formal you need to be.

Keep this table handy as a quick reference. With practice, picking the right word becomes second nature.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Getting the hang of saying 'and' in Mandarin means learning to dodge a few common traps.

By far the most common error is trying to use 和 (hé) to connect verbs or actions. In English, 'and' is a jack-of-all-trades, but in Mandarin, 和 (hé) is almost exclusively for nouns.

The Golden Rule of Using 和 (hé)

Think of it this way: 和 (hé) is for lists of things, not sequences of events. If you want to talk about doing one action and then another, you need a different tool from your linguistic toolbox.

Let's make this crystal clear with some examples:

• Incorrect: 我回家和做饭。(wǒ huí jiā hé zuò fàn.)

  • This is meant as "I go home and cook dinner," but it's wrong in Chinese because it uses 和 to connect two actions.

• Correct: 我回家做饭。(wǒ huí jiā zuò fàn.)

  • The simplest fix: no connecting word at all. Chinese often just puts the two verb phrases one after the other.

• Correct: 我回家以后做饭。(wǒ huí jiā yǐhòu zuò fàn.)

  • This means "After I get home, I cook dinner." A time word like 以后 (yǐhòu), or 先…然后… (xiān… ránhòu…, 'first… then…'), makes the order of events clear.

Other Common Pitfalls

Besides misusing 和 (hé), a few other frequent errors can make your speech sound a bit off.

• Mismatched Formality: Using a very formal word like 与 (yǔ) in a casual chat is a common one. It’s like saying, "Shall we procure sustenance?" instead of "Want to grab some food?" Grammatically, it's fine, but socially, it's awkward. Just stick to 和 (hé) or 跟 (gēn) with friends.

• Incorrect Word Order: Chinese conjunctions often sit in a different spot in the sentence compared to English. For example, 而且 (érqiě) connects two clauses and comes right after the comma, before the second subject or verb, while 也 (yě) and 还 (hái) must go after the subject, right before the verb (我也去, not 也我去).

Key Takeaway: The single biggest leap you can make is to stop translating directly from English. Instead of thinking, "How do I say 'and'?", ask yourself, "What am I actually connecting here—nouns, actions, or ideas?"

Avoiding these mistakes really comes down to practice and exposure. A good way to get these patterns to stick is sentence mining, where you learn from complete, correct sentences. Fill-in-the-blank practice, or clozing, also helps: blanking out the connecting word makes you choose the right one.

Putting Your Knowledge into Practice

These short dialogues show how different forms of 'and' pop up naturally in everyday Chinese. Each example comes with a quick breakdown explaining why a specific word was chosen.

Scenario 1: Ordering at a Restaurant

Picture this: you're ordering food with a friend. Pay close attention to how the conversation uses different words to connect menu items and add extras to the order.

• You: 我要一份宫保鸡丁和一碗米饭。

  • wǒ yào yí fèn gōngbǎo jīdīng hé yì wǎn mǐfàn.
  • I'll have a kung pao chicken and a bowl of rice.

• Friend: 我要麻婆豆腐，还有一瓶啤酒。

  • wǒ yào mápó dòufu, háiyǒu yì píng píjiǔ.
  • I'll have mapo tofu, and also a bottle of beer.

Analysis: You use 和 (hé) because you’re simply connecting two nouns in your order. It's a straightforward list. Your friend, on the other hand, uses 还有 (háiyǒu) to add an extra, separate item to their main dish. This is a very common and natural way to speak when adding "one more thing" to a list. For more restaurant phrases, see our guide to ordering food in Chinese.

Scenario 2: Planning a Weekend Trip

Now, let's eavesdrop on a conversation about planning a trip. Here, the focus shifts from listing things to connecting actions and describing qualities.

• Person A: 这个周末我们去爬山吧，还可以在山顶看日出。

  • zhège zhōumò wǒmen qù páshān ba, hái kěyǐ zài shāndǐng kàn rìchū.
  • Let's go hiking this weekend. We can watch the sunrise from the top as well.

• Person B: 好啊！听说那里的风景又美又壮观。

  • hǎo a! tīngshuō nàli de fēngjǐng yòu měi yòu zhuàngguān.
  • Sounds good! I heard the scenery there is both beautiful and spectacular.

Analysis: Person A uses 还 (hái) to add a second activity (watching the sunrise) to the first (hiking). 并且 (bìngqiě) would be grammatical but sounds stiff in a casual chat, and 和 would be wrong because these are actions. Person B uses the classic 又...又... (yòu...yòu...) structure to describe the scenery with two connected adjectives, emphasising that both qualities are true at the same time.

Studying examples like these is a great way to build your grammar intuition. To learn this way in Mandarin Mosaic, see our guide to sentence mining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Just Stick with 和 (hé) and Call It a Day?

For a simple list of things, like 'apples and oranges', using 和 (hé) is your go-to. You'll be perfectly understood. But, and this is a big one, you absolutely can't use it to link actions. Saying 'I went home and studied' with 和 (hé) is a classic learner mistake; 我回家学习了 (wǒ huí jiā xuéxí le), with no linking word, is what a native speaker would say.

So, What's the Real Difference Between 跟 (gēn) and 和 (hé)?

While they often overlap when you're just listing nouns, 跟 (gēn) has a distinct flavour of 'with' or 'together'. Think about the phrase 我跟你去 (wǒ gēn nǐ qù) – it means 'I'll go with you'. This sense of accompaniment makes 跟 (gēn) the better choice when you want to imply that people are doing something together.

When Would I Ever Use a Formal Word Like 与 (yǔ)?

Save 与 (yǔ) for your most formal moments. We’re talking academic papers, official company reports, or a carefully scripted speech. Dropping it into a casual chat is grammatically correct, but it feels stiff and out of place. For everyday conversations, 和 (hé) or 跟 (gēn) are what you're looking for.

Ready to stop just memorising words and start understanding how they work in real sentences? Mandarin Mosaic uses a sentence-mining approach to build your grammar intuition naturally. Learn patterns like these by seeing them in context, right from your phone. Find out more and try it free for 30 days at Mandarin Mosaic.

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