Making Connections in Chinese
When you're learning a new language, it's important to know how to connect your ideas together! In this lesson, you'll learn some essential Chinese connecting words that will help you create more natural-sounding sentences in Mandarin.
Connecting Nouns with 和 (And)
Let's start with the most basic connecting word:
和and is the Chinese word for "and" when connecting nouns or noun phrases. It's very simple to use:
- 我和我的朋友 (My friend and I)
- 中文和英文 (Chinese and English)
- 这本书和那本书 (This book and that book)
Quick Tip: Unlike English, in Chinese you don't use 和and to connect sentences or verbs - it's primarily for joining nouns!
Adding Information with 也 and 都
Next, let's learn how to say "also" and "all" in Chinese:
也also, too means "also" or "too" and usually comes before the verb:
- 我也喜欢咖啡 (I also like coffee)
- 他也会说中文 (He also can speak Chinese)
都all, both means "all" or "both" and also comes before the verb:
- 我们都是学生 (We are all students)
- 这些书我都看过了 (I have read all these books)
Expressing "Still" and "Also" with 还
还still, yet, also is a versatile word that can mean "also" (similar to 也also, too) or "still" depending on context:
- 我还想喝水 (I also want to drink water)
- 他还在学校 (He is still at school)
Talking About Quantities
These useful words help you talk about amounts in Chinese:
一点儿a little bit means "a little bit" - perfect for expressing small amounts:
- 我会说一点儿中文 (I can speak a little Chinese)
- 这个菜有一点儿辣 (This dish is a bit spicy)
些some, a few means "some" and is often used with 这this (this) or 那that (that):
- 这些书 (these books)
- 那些人 (those people)
Contrasting Ideas with 但是
Now let's learn how to express contrasting ideas:
但是but, however means "but" and connects contrasting thoughts:
- 我喜欢咖啡，但是我不喜欢茶 (I like coffee, but I don't like tea)
- 这个餐厅的菜很好吃，但是有点儿贵 (The food at this restaurant is delicious, but a bit expensive)
Expressing Cause and Effect
These important connecting words help you explain why things happen:
因为because means "because" and introduces a reason:
- 因为下雨了 (Because it rained...)
所以so, therefore means "therefore" or "so" and introduces a result:
- 所以我没去公园 (...so I didn't go to the park)
These two words often work together in the pattern 因为...所以...:
- 因为我很忙，所以我没时间看电影 (Because I'm busy, I don't have time to watch movies)
Expressing Choices with 或者
或者or, perhaps, maybe means "or" and presents alternatives:
- 你想喝咖啡或者茶？ (Do you want to drink coffee or tea?)
- 我们可以今天去或者明天去 (We can go today or tomorrow)
Conditional Statements with 如果...就...
Finally, let's learn how to express "if...then..." statements:
如果if, in case means "if" and introduces a condition:
- 如果明天下雨 (If it rains tomorrow...)
就then, just, right away often follows to introduce the result:
- 就不去公园 (...then don't go to the park)
Together they form the pattern 如果...就...:
- 如果你喜欢，我就给你买 (If you like it, I'll buy it for you)
Practice Dialogues
Try practicing these natural conversations using Chinese connecting words:
Dialogue 1: Using And & Also
- 👩 你喜欢什么水果？ (What fruits do you like?)
- 👨 我喜欢苹果和香蕉。你呢？ (I like apples and bananas. How about you?)
- 👩 我也喜欢苹果，我还喜欢橙子。 (I also like apples, and I like oranges too.)
Dialogue 2: Expressing Contrast
- 👨 北京怎么样？ (How is Beijing?)
- 👩 北京很大，很漂亮，但是有点儿冷。 (Beijing is big and beautiful, but a bit cold.)
Dialogue 3: Cause and Effect
- 👩 你为什么没来上课？ (Why didn't you come to class?)
- 👨 因为我生病了，所以我没来上课。 (Because I was sick, I didn't come to class.)
- 👩 你现在感觉好一点儿了吗？ (Do you feel a little better now?)
- 👨 是的，我好多了，谢谢。 (Yes, I'm much better, thank you.)
Dialogue 4: Choices and Conditions
- 👨 明天我们去公园或者去博物馆？ (Tomorrow shall we go to the park or to the museum?)
- 👩 如果明天天气好，我们就去公园。 (If the weather is good tomorrow, then we'll go to the park.)
Learning Tips for Chinese Connecting Words
- Practice in complete sentences - These words only make sense when connecting ideas
- Notice the word order - Words like 也also, too and 都all, both come before the verb
- Start with the basics - Master 和and, 也also, too, and 但是but, however first before moving to more complex patterns
- Look for patterns in everyday Chinese - These connecting words appear frequently in conversations
- Create your own sentences using each connector to strengthen your understanding
Summary
In this lesson, you've learned 12 essential Chinese connecting words that will help you link ideas and create more natural-sounding Mandarin sentences. You now know how to join nouns with 和and, add similar ideas with 也also, too and 还still, yet, also, express contrasts with 但是but, however, show cause and effect with 因为because and 所以so, therefore, present choices with 或者or, perhaps, maybe, and create conditional statements with 如果if, in case and 就then, just, right away.
With these connecting words, your Chinese will sound more natural and you'll be able to express more complex thoughts! These small words make a big difference in helping you communicate more clearly in Mandarin.