HSKReadyGet the appHSK 4 · Word classes › Conjunctions › Connecting words or phrases
Connecting Words and Phrases in HSK 4: 并, 而, and 与
In Chinese, different conjunctions are required depending on whether you are linking nouns, adjectives, or verbs. This lesson covers how the HSK 4 outline items 并, 而, and 与 connect words or phrases, focusing on grammatical category and formal register.
大家讨论并通过了这个计划。
并 connects two sequential transitive verbs (讨论 and 通过) that share the object 这个计划.
× 学校并家庭都应该关心孩子的健康。
Incorrect for the intended ordinary joint subject: use 学校与家庭 or 学校和家庭. 并 is not the neutral way to coordinate these two bare nouns; the linked correction keeps both participants and the original meaning.
Corrected example: 学校与家庭都应该关心孩子的健康。
Read the full explanation and examples
Why Chinese Uses Different Conjunctions for Words and Phrases
The HSK 4 outline groups 并, 而 and 与 as conjunctions connecting words or phrases. Choose according to the syntactic role, intended relationship and register. Noun coordination and predicate coordination differ, but Chinese conjunctions do not form a completely rigid one-word-class-to-one-conjunction system.
Note that the sense numbers listed in the syllabus outline (并2, 而1, 与2) distinguish these specific word-and-phrase-linking conjunction uses from other roles these characters play in Chinese, such as the adverbial use of 并 before negative words, clause-level transitions, or the prepositional use of 与. Mastering the word-and-phrase level means checking whether the items you want to link are actions, descriptive qualities, or things.
Linking Verbal Actions with 并
并 often links coordinated or sequential verb phrases in written notices, reports and instructions. In the examples here, the actions share a subject and object. It can also link descriptive predicates; it is not restricted to action verbs in every use.
大家讨论并通过了这个计划。
并 connects two sequential transitive verbs (讨论 and 通过) that share the object 这个计划.
请仔细阅读并保存这份文件。
并 links two instructional verb phrases (仔细阅读 and 保存) sharing the object 这份文件.
The two verbs in each example share the object after the second verb. To coordinate the bare nouns 学校 and 家庭 as a joint subject, use 与 or 和; 并 is not the ordinary noun-linking choice in that construction.
Linking Qualities and Predicates with 而
而 can coordinate qualities or predicates with an additive or contrasting relationship. The examples here join two adjectives modifying the same noun. It can also connect verbal elements, as in 笑而不语, so do not define it as an adjective-only conjunction.
他用简单而清楚的语言解释了问题。
而 links two disyllabic adjectives (简单 and 清楚) modifying 语言.
这是一项艰巨而伟大的任务。
而 joins two descriptive qualities (艰巨 and 伟大) that characterize the noun 任务.
When modifying a noun, the linked adjectives are typically followed by a single 的 before the noun, creating a compact, rhythmic phrase suitable for written or prepared speech. Like 并, 而 does not directly coordinate two simple nouns.
Linking Nouns and Nominal Phrases with 与
To connect nouns, pronouns, or nominal phrases in a formal or written register, Chinese uses 与. In this role, it functions much like the everyday conjunction 和, joining parallel items on equal footing.
科学发展与环境保护同样重要。
与 formally connects two four-character nominal phrases serving as the joint subject.
这次会议讨论了教育与文化的关系。
与 links two nouns (教育 and 文化) inside a modifier phrase.
You will frequently encounter 与 in book titles, news headlines, academic topics, and formal announcements where four-character or balanced noun phrases are paired together.
Practical Contrasts and Common Learner Mistakes
- Use 与 to connect nouns or nominal phrases in formal writing; in casual conversation, 和 is generally preferred.
- Use 并 to connect active verbs or verb phrases that happen together or in sequence, especially when they share a subject and object.
- Use 而 to connect two descriptive adjectives or state predicates that characterize the same person, thing, or action.
In the sentence below, the intended joint subject is “school and family.” Replace 并 with 与 or 和 for that ordinary noun coordination. Check how the coordinated elements function in the sentence instead of treating the English word “and” as a fixed Chinese word.
× 学校并家庭都应该关心孩子的健康。
Incorrect for the intended ordinary joint subject: use 学校与家庭 or 学校和家庭. 并 is not the neutral way to coordinate these two bare nouns; the linked correction keeps both participants and the original meaning.
Corrected example: 学校与家庭都应该关心孩子的健康。
学校与家庭都应该关心孩子的健康。
Correct replacement: 与 properly links the two nouns 学校 and 家庭.
Frequently asked questions
How is 与 different from 和 when connecting nouns?
Both connect nouns and noun phrases, but 与 is more formal and compact. It appears frequently in written Chinese, titles, and formal speeches, whereas 和 is the standard choice in everyday spoken Mandarin.
How do I choose between 并 and 而 when linking predicates?
Use 并 for active verbs, especially when one action follows or builds on another (such as discussing and then passing a plan). Use 而 mainly for descriptive adjectives or state predicates that describe two simultaneous qualities of a person, thing, or action.
Why does the syllabus list numbers like 并2, 而1, and 与2?
In the syllabus outline, sense numbers separate words that have multiple grammatical functions or meanings. Here, they specify the conjunction uses that connect words or phrases, distinguishing them from adverbial, prepositional, or clause-level uses learned elsewhere.
