Using "er" to explain contrasting ideas
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Keywords
The conjunction 而 (ér) is used to connect two sentences that are related to each other, but talk about contrasting ideas or subjects. In this manner, it can be seen as a word meaning "but" or "rather." 而 is often used in a more formal or literary sense, but it is also common in everyday speech.
Structure
Sentence 1, + 而 + Sentence 2
Examples
Needs Examples
See Also
Expressing "not only… but also" Two words for "but"
Sources and Further Reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 343-4) →buy
Websites
- Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: [Usage of 而]
