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Connecting Words and Phrases with 以及 and 同 (HSK 5)
At the HSK 5 level of the supplied syllabus outline, learners expand beyond basic everyday connectors to master formal conjunctions. This guide explains how 以及 and 同 link words and phrases in written and formal spoken Chinese, how they differ in structure and hierarchy, and how to avoid common sentence-linking errors.
这次会议讨论了公司的预算、新产品开发以及下半年的市场计划。
Earlier items are separated by 、, and 以及 introduces the final item. There is no enumeration comma immediately before 以及 in this sentence.
× 我今天去超市买了很多水果，以及我已经把它们洗干净了。
Incorrect for the intended ordinary narrative: these are two standalone statements, not items jointly governed by another phrase. 而且 can add the second statement; punctuation alone could also connect them in a suitable context.
Corrected example: 我今天去超市买了很多水果，而且我已经把它们洗干净了。
Read the full explanation and examples
Overview of Word and Phrase Conjunctions
The supplied HSK 5 outline groups 以及 and 同2 under conjunctions linking words or phrases. 同2 is the document’s label for the conjunction use, not a universal dictionary sense number. These words are useful for coordinating longer or more formal expressions alongside everyday 和.
Using 以及 for Lists and Grouped Phrases
以及 means “as well as” or “and” and is common in written lists. It can connect nominal or verbal phrases and can make the grouping of complex items clearer. A later item may be supplementary, but 以及 does not automatically make it less important; grammatical coordination and real-world priority are different questions.
When several items are listed with enumeration commas (、), placing 以及 before the final phrase signals that the list is concluding. It can also separate two broad categories where each category contains its own internal modifiers, preventing confusion about where one complex phrase ends and the next begins.
这次会议讨论了公司的预算、新产品开发以及下半年的市场计划。
Earlier items are separated by 、, and 以及 introduces the final item. There is no enumeration comma immediately before 以及 in this sentence.
教授详细解释了实验的目标以及具体的操作方法。
Correct: 以及 connects two modified noun phrases serving as the object of the verb.
Using 同 as a Coordinating Conjunction
In the syllabus, 同2 identifies the grammatical role of 同 as a conjunction meaning "and" (distinct from its adjective/verb sense meaning "same" and its prepositional usage meaning "with" in comparisons or directed actions). When functioning as a coordinating conjunction, 同 connects two nouns or pronouns of equal status.
In standard modern prose, conjunctional 同 carries a serious, slightly formal or official tone, often appearing in news reports, institutional writing, or formal speeches. It is generally restricted to nominal elements (nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases) and does not typically connect verbs or adjectives.
理论知识同实际经验都非常重要。
Correct: 同 acts as a formal coordinating conjunction linking two parallel noun phrases.
参加毕业典礼的有学校领导同各位教师代表。
同 joins two noun phrases within the object of 有. This makes the coordination clearer than a 同……一起…… sentence, which may also allow a prepositional “with” analysis.
Key Contrasts: 以及, 同, and 和
Because 以及, 同, and 和 can all translate to "and" in English, learners need clear criteria to choose the right word in context:
- Grouping and priority: all three can coordinate items. 以及 can clarify a boundary between larger groups in a complex list or introduce a supplementary item. Do not infer a fixed ranking of importance merely from the connective or list order.
- Grammatical category of connected items: 同 (as a conjunction) links nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases. 以及 is more flexible and regularly links longer noun phrases as well as verb phrases functioning as objects or modifiers.
- Register: 和 is neutral and fits both casual conversation and writing. 以及 and conjunctional 同 are noticeably more formal in standard Mandarin writing.
Common Learner Mistake and Limits
For the intended everyday narrative below, 以及 is not the usual way to join the two independent statements. Use a suitable clause connective such as 而且 or 并且, or separate the statements with punctuation when the relation is already clear. A connective is not compulsory just because two events are mentioned.
× 我今天去超市买了很多水果，以及我已经把它们洗干净了。
Incorrect for the intended ordinary narrative: these are two standalone statements, not items jointly governed by another phrase. 而且 can add the second statement; punctuation alone could also connect them in a suitable context.
Corrected example: 我今天去超市买了很多水果，而且我已经把它们洗干净了。
我今天去超市买了很多水果，而且我已经把它们洗干净了。
而且 adds the second statement about the fruit already being washed. The two clauses keep the same meaning as the intended narrative.
Look at the grammatical function, not just the presence of a subject or 了. 我想了解他去了哪里以及我们能提供什么帮助 is natural: both embedded questions are what I want to understand. That shared role differs from the two standalone narrative statements in the fruit example.
Frequently asked questions
What does the number 2 in 同2 mean in the syllabus?
Here 同2 labels the conjunction use selected in the supplied outline, meaning “and” between coordinated items. The numeral distinguishes that entry from other uses in the same document; dictionary numbering may differ.
Can I put a pause or comma before 以及?
In longer sentences where the phrases being connected are complex, writers occasionally place a comma before 以及 to help the reader parse the grouping, even though both sides are still phrases rather than independent sentences. In shorter lists, no comma is needed before 以及.
