How to Say And in Chinese A Guide to Sounding Fluent

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’s almost exclusively used to connect nouns, not actions.

Saying "I went home and cooked dinner" using 和 (hé) is one of those classic learner mistakes. It’s a dead giveaway you're new to the language and instantly sounds unnatural to a native speaker.

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

Learning to connect ideas is a massive leap from just stringing single words together into forming 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, but getting it right is a huge step toward 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. Getting these nuances right goes way beyond direct, word-for-word translation. For a wider look at the challenges of moving between English and Chinese, this practical guide to translating English to Chinese Mandarin offers some really valuable insights. For now, this guide will give you the specific tools you need for every situation.

Connecting Nouns with 和, 跟 and 与

This is where your real journey begins. To say ‘and’ in Chinese, the first and most critical 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. It just works.

Let’s see it in action:

• Example 1: 我喜欢茶和咖啡。

  • Wǒ xǐhuān 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. Mastering 和 (hé) first builds a solid foundation for understanding how to say 'and' in Chinese correctly.

跟 (gēn) The Informal Friend

Next up is 跟 (gēn), which often feels a bit more conversational and informal than 和 (hé). 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.

While you can often swap 和 (hé) and 跟 (gēn) without any major issues when listing items, choosing 跟 (gēn) can make your speech sound slightly more natural and relaxed, especially in casual chats with friends.

Take a look at this example:

• Example: 我跟我的朋友去看电影。
  • Wǒ gēn wǒ de péngyǒu qù kàn diànyǐng.
  • I went to see a movie with my friend. (Literally: I and my friend go see movie)

与 (yǔ) The Formal Authority

Finally, we have 与 (yǔ). This is the formal, literary equivalent of 和 (hé). You will almost never hear 与 (yǔ) in casual, spoken Mandarin. Using it in a conversation with friends would be like wearing a tuxedo to a barbecue—technically correct, but socially 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
• Company names and formal titles

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

By understanding the distinct roles these three words play, you can start selecting the perfect connector for any noun-linking situation, moving from basic communication to more nuanced expression.

So, you've got the hang of connecting simple nouns with 和 (hé). What's next? Naturally, you'll want to start building longer, more interesting lists. This is where your toolkit for saying 'and' in Chinese gets a serious upgrade with two incredibly useful words: 以及 (yǐjí) and 还有 (háiyǒu).

Think of these as your next-level connectors. While 和 (hé) is perfect for your basic "A and B" sentences, 以及 (yǐjí) and 还有 (háiyǒu) step in when you need to add more items or link more complex ideas. They stop your sentences from sounding clunky and repetitive.

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.
  • This meeting discussed economic development, environmental protection, as well as issues of social stability.

See how 以及 (yǐjí) brings in that last, broader topic? It elegantly connects 'social stability issues' to the preceding list, a common and 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 yīxiē 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.

Right, let's step things up a notch. This next bit is a huge milestone in your Mandarin journey.

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, and it's a dead giveaway you're not a native speaker.

Here’s the golden rule: you absolutely cannot use 和 (hé) to connect verbs or whole sentences. While it’s perfect for linking nouns, using it for actions will make your Chinese sound clunky and just plain wrong. To link actions and ideas smoothly, you need a different set of tools: 而且 (érqiě), 并且 (bìngqiě), and 又 (yòu).

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, but the second one almost always adds something new, stronger, or more significant to the first. It builds on the first point, adding emphasis or another layer to your argument.

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

• Example: 他很聪明，而且很努力。
  • Tā hěn cōngmíng, érqiě hěn nǔlì.
  • He is very smart, and on top of that, he is very hardworking.

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) for Closely Related Actions

Next up is 并且 (bìngqiě). This one is best translated as 'and also' or 'in addition'. You’ll use it to connect two actions that are very closely linked, often done by the same person either one after the other or as part of the same bigger activity. The connection here feels much tighter than with 而且 (érqiě).

While you might see it used interchangeably with 而且 (érqiě) sometimes, 并且 (bìngqiě) usually implies a more direct, logical flow between the two actions.

Here's a good way to tell them apart: 而且 (érqiě) adds a separate, but related, idea. 并且 (bìngqiě) connects two steps of a single, continuous process. It often feels like you're moving from one action straight to the next.

Let's look at an example:

• Example: 他完成了作业，并且复习了功课。
  • Tā wánchéngle zuòyè, bìngqiě fùxíle gōngkè.
  • He finished his homework and also reviewed his lessons.

Finishing homework and reviewing lessons are two very closely related study tasks, happening one after the other. That makes 并且 (bìngqiě) the perfect fit.

Using 又 (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 super simple: 又 (yòu) + Adjective 1, 又 (yòu) + Adjective 2. The repetition of 又 (yòu) creates a really nice rhythm in the sentence, which is why you’ll almost always see it used twice.

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

Getting these three connectors down is a game-changer. It's how you move from making simple statements to building complex, natural-sounding sentences that show how different ideas and actions relate to each other—a massive step towards sounding fluent.

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. Soon enough, picking the right word will become second nature, and your Mandarin will sound much more authentic.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Getting the hang of saying 'and' in Mandarin means learning to dodge a few common traps. Once you see these frequent slip-ups for what they are, you'll find your grammar cleans up nicely, and you'll start sounding much more natural. Let's step into the role of your personal grammar coach and troubleshoot the biggest mistakes learners make.

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. Using it to link actions is a classic mistake that immediately flags you as a beginner.

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 literally translates to "I go home and cook dinner," but it's just plain wrong in Chinese because it tries to connect two actions (verbs).

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

  • This means "I go home and then cook dinner." Using a time-based connector like 以后 (yǐhòu) is a much more natural and correct way to link sequential actions.

• Correct: 他完成了作业，并且复习了功课。(Tā wánchéngle zuòyè, bìngqiě fùxíle gōngkè.)

  • This translates to "He finished his homework and also reviewed his lessons." Here, 并且 (bìngqiě) is the right choice for linking two closely related actions.

To help you figure out which word for 'and' to use on the fly, this decision tree maps out the basic logic for connecting different parts of a sentence.

This visual guide drives home the point: different types of connections in Chinese require entirely different words. It’s definitely not a one-to-one swap from English.

Other Common Pitfalls

Besides misusing 和 (hé), a few other frequent errors can trip you up and make your speech sound a bit off. Keeping these in mind will really help boost your fluency.

• 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 usually comes right after the comma, before the second subject or verb. Putting it in the wrong place can easily confuse your listener.

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?" This small mental shift is a game-changer.

Avoiding these mistakes really just comes down to practice and exposure. A fantastic way to get these patterns to stick is through sentence mining, where you focus on understanding and remembering correct sentence structures. You can learn more about an active learning method called clozing, which can help lock these grammar rules into your long-term memory.

Putting Your Knowledge into Practice

Theory is one thing, but seeing grammar in action is where the real learning kicks in. Let's step away from the rules for a moment and put your new knowledge to the test in some real-world situations.

These short dialogues show you how different forms of 'and' pop up naturally in everyday Chinese chats. Each example comes with a quick breakdown, explaining why a specific word was chosen. This hands-on approach really helps to lock in your understanding by connecting the grammar directly to authentic contexts.

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: 我要一个宫保鸡丁和一碗米饭。

  • Wǒ yào yīgè gōng bǎo jī dīng hé yī wǎn mǐfàn.
  • I want a Kung Pao chicken and a bowl of rice.

• Friend: 我要麻婆豆腐，还有一瓶啤酒。

  • Wǒ yào má pó dòufu, háiyǒu yī píng píjiǔ.
  • I want 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.

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，并且在山顶看日出，怎么样？

  • Zhège zhōumò wǒmen qù páshān, bìngqiě zài shāndǐng kàn rìchū, zěnme yàng?
  • This weekend let's go hiking and also watch the sunrise at the summit, how about that?

• Person B: 好啊！听说那里的风景又美又壮观。

  • Hǎo a! Tīng shuō nàlǐ de fēngjǐng yòu měi yòu zhuàngguān.
  • Sounds good! I heard the scenery there is both beautiful and spectacular.

Analysis: Person A uses 并且 (bìngqiě) to link two closely related actions—hiking and watching the sunrise—that are part of a single, unified plan. It shows a strong connection between the two verbs. 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 fantastic way to build your grammar intuition. For a deeper dive into this learning method, check out our detailed guide on sentence mining to see how it can seriously speed up your progress.

Wrapping Up: Your 'And' in Chinese Questions Answered

We’ve untangled a lot of threads, but a few common questions always pop up when learners first grapple with connecting ideas in Chinese. Let's tackle them head-on.

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 that sounds jarringly unnatural to a native speaker.

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 would be like wearing a tuxedo to a coffee shop—it's grammatically correct, but it just 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. Master complex concepts like this one by seeing them in context, right from your phone. Learn more and start your journey to fluency at https://mandarinmosaic.com.

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