Conversations flow on small bridges: and, but, because, so, if. In Mandarin, these connectors are compact and powerful. Master a handful of patterns—因為…所以…, 雖然…但是…, 如果…就…—and thoughts click together like Lego. This guide focuses on clear, high-frequency linking words in Traditional Chinese, with pinyin after each example and a concise English gloss.
Core Concepts
Linking words in Chinese often appear in fixed pairs or frames. Two-part frames like 因為…所以… and 雖然…但是… set up logic before the main clause lands. Single connectors such as 但是、而且、然後 operate like hinges between sentences. In Taiwan usage, 和 and 跟 both mean “and,” 還是 is for questions while 或者 is for statements, and 不過 softens a contrast more than 但是.
Everyday “And,” “But,” “So,” “Also”
和／跟（and; join nouns or simple predicates）
我買了水果和咖啡。
wǒ mǎi le shuǐ guǒ hé kā fēi
I bought fruit and coffee.
而且（and also; adds weight or new info）
今天很忙，而且還要加班。
jīn tiān hěn máng, ér qiě hái yào jiā bān
Today is busy, and I also have to work overtime.
但是／但（but; strong contrast）
我想去旅行，但是沒有時間。
wǒ xiǎng qù lǚ xíng, dàn shì méi yǒu shí jiān
I want to travel, but I don’t have time.
不過（however; softer contrast）
價錢有點高，不過品質很好。
jià qián yǒu diǎn gāo, bú guò pǐn zhí hěn hǎo
The price is a bit high; however, the quality is great.
所以（so; result）
他生病了，所以今天不來。
tā shēng bìng le, suǒ yǐ jīn tiān bù lái
He’s sick, so he isn’t coming today.
也（also; adverb before verb/adj）
我也喜歡台灣小吃。
wǒ yě xǐ huān tái wān xiǎo chī
I also like Taiwanese street food.
還有（and also / in addition; often as sentence link）
我們有咖啡，還有茶。
wǒ men yǒu kā fēi, hái yǒu chá
We have coffee, and also tea.
Cause & Effect Frames
因為…所以…（because… therefore…）
因為下雨，所以我帶了雨衣。
yīn wèi xià yǔ, suǒ yǐ wǒ dài le yǔ yī
Because it’s raining, I brought a raincoat.
由於…因此…（formal pair）
由於路況不好，因此晚到。
yóu yú lù kuàng bù hǎo, yīn cǐ wǎn dào
Due to bad road conditions, arrived late.
於是（thereupon; one event leads naturally to the next）
店剛開門，於是我們先去吃早餐。
diàn gāng kāi mén, yú shì wǒ men xiān qù chī zǎo cān
The shop just opened; so we went to have breakfast first.
Contrast & Concession Frames
雖然…但是…（although… but…）
雖然很累，但是他還是去運動。
suī rán hěn lèi, dàn shì tā hái shì qù yùn dòng
Although tired, he still went to work out.
不過（however; softening contrast） already shown above.
反而（instead / on the contrary）
越催他，他反而更慢。
yuè cuī tā, tā fǎn ér gèng màn
The more he’s pushed, the slower he gets.
不是…而是…（not A, but B）
我不是生氣，而是擔心。
wǒ bú shì shēng qì, ér shì dān xīn
I’m not angry, I’m worried.
Conditions & Alternatives
如果…就…（if… then…）
如果明天放晴，我們就去爬山。
rú guǒ míng tiān fàng qíng, wǒ men jiù qù pá shān
If it clears up tomorrow, then we’ll go hiking.
要是…就…（if… then…; casual）
要是你有空，就一起吃飯。
yào shì nǐ yǒu kòng, jiù yì qǐ chī fàn
If you’re free, let’s eat together.
否則／要不然（otherwise）
請先預約，否則要等很久。
qǐng xiān yù yuē, fǒu zé yào děng hěn jiǔ
Please book first; otherwise you’ll wait a long time.
或者（or in statements） vs. 還是（or in questions）
今天吃麵或者飯都可以。
jīn tiān chī miàn huò zhě fàn dōu kě yǐ
Eating noodles or rice is fine.
晚餐要吃麵還是飯？
wǎn cān yào chī miàn hái shì fàn
For dinner, noodles or rice?
Sequence, Addition, Emphasis
然後（then; sequence; don’t overuse）
先寫報告，然後寄出去。
xiān xiě bào gào, rán hòu jì chū qù
Write the report first, then send it out.
接著／再來（next; good alternatives to 然後）
先做簡報，接著討論細節。
xiān zuò jiǎn bào, jiē zhe tǎo lùn xì jié
Do the slides first, then discuss details.
此外／另外（in addition; sentence-initial often）
此外，我們還需要兩位人手。
cǐ wài, wǒ men hái xū yào liǎng wèi rén shǒu
In addition, we need two more people.
以及／並且（and; formal linking of phrases/clauses）
課程包含聽、說、讀以及寫。
kè chéng bāo hán tīng, shuō, dú yǐ jí xiě
The course includes listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
並且需要按時繳交作業。
bìng qiě xū yào àn shí jiǎo jiāo zuò yè
And homework must be turned in on time.
甚至（even; escalation）
太忙了，甚至連飯都沒吃。
tài máng le, shèn zhì lián fàn dōu méi chī
Was so busy that didn’t even eat.
Mini Dialogues
選擇與對比
A：今天要去海邊還是爬山？
A: jīn tiān yào qù hǎi biān hái shì pá shān?
A: Go to the beach or hike today?
B：我想去海邊，不過天氣好像要變。
B: wǒ xiǎng qù hǎi biān, bú guò tiān qì hǎo xiàng yào biàn
B: I want the beach, however the weather seems to be changing.
A：如果下雨，就改在室內運動。
A: rú guǒ xià yǔ, jiù gǎi zài shì nèi yùn dòng
A: If it rains, then switch to indoor exercise.
理由與結果
A：為什麼今天這麼早？
A: wèi shén me jīn tiān zhè me zǎo?
A: Why so early today?
B：因為要開會，所以先來準備。
B: yīn wèi yào kāi huì, suǒ yǐ xiān lái zhǔn bèi
B: Because there’s a meeting, so I came to prepare first.
A：辛苦了，而且報告做得很好。
A: xīn kǔ le, ér qiě bào gào zuò de hěn hǎo
A: Thanks for the hard work, and the report is great.
更正與強調
A：你生氣了嗎？
A: nǐ shēng qì le ma?
A: Are you angry?
B：我不是生氣，而是擔心。
B: wǒ bú shì shēng qì, ér shì dān xīn
B: I’m not angry, I’m worried.
A：好，我再確認一次，然後回覆你。
A: hǎo, wǒ zài què rèn yí cì, rán hòu huí fù nǐ
A: Okay, I’ll confirm again and then reply.
Copy-Ready Patterns
雖然＿＿，但是＿＿。
suī rán ______, dàn shì ______
Although ___, (but) ___.
因為＿＿，所以＿＿。
yīn wèi ______, suǒ yǐ ______
Because ___, therefore ___.
如果＿＿，就＿＿。
rú guǒ ______, jiù ______
If ___, then ___.
不是＿＿，而是＿＿。
bú shì ______, ér shì ______
Not ___, but ___.
先＿＿，接著＿＿，最後＿＿。
xiān ______, jiē zhe ______, zuì hòu ______
First ___, then ___, finally ___.
今天可以＿＿或者＿＿。
jīn tiān kě yǐ ______ huò zhě ______
Today we can ___ or ___.
要吃麵還是飯？
yào chī miàn hái shì fàn?
Eat noodles or rice?
Usage Notes & Common Mistakes
“還是” vs. “或者”
還是 appears in questions; 或者 appears in statements. Mixing them sounds off.
晚餐要吃麵還是飯？（question）
wǎn cān yào chī miàn hái shì fàn
For dinner, noodles or rice?
晚餐吃麵或者飯都可以。（statement）
wǎn cān chī miàn huò zhě fàn dōu kě yǐ
For dinner, noodles or rice is fine.
Overusing 然後
Too many 然後 makes speech choppy. Rotate 接著、再來、最後, or just use commas.
“雖然…但是…” Keep Both Sides
Avoid dropping 但是 in careful writing; in casual speech it’s sometimes omitted, but the full pair reads clearer.
“因為…所以…” In Formal Writing
In very formal prose, one of the pair may be omitted, but everyday speech happily uses both.
不過 vs. 但是
不過 softens the tone; 但是 is more direct. Pick based on how strong the contrast should feel.
不是…而是…
This frame corrects or clarifies. Make part B specific so the correction lands.
Quick Reference Table
| English | Traditional Chinese | pinyin |
| and (nouns/phrases) | 和／跟 | hé / gēn |
| and also (additive) | 而且 | ér qiě |
| but / however | 但是／不過 | dàn shì / bú guò |
| so / therefore | 所以 | suǒ yǐ |
| because | 因為 | yīn wèi |
| if… then… | 如果…就… | rú guǒ … jiù … |
| although… but… | 雖然…但是… | suī rán … dàn shì … |
| not A but B | 不是…而是… | bú shì … ér shì … |
| then / next | 然後／接著 | rán hòu / jiē zhe |
| in addition | 另外／此外 | lìng wài / cǐ wài |
| or (statement) | 或者 | huò zhě |
| or (question) | 還是 | hái shì |
| otherwise | 否則／要不然 | fǒu zé / yào bù rán |
| even (escalation) | 甚至 | shèn zhì |
| as well as (formal) | 以及／並且 | yǐ jí / bìng qiě |
| on the contrary | 反而 | fǎn ér |
| thereupon | 於是 | yú shì |
Pronunciation Tips
而且 ér qiě：ér is second tone rising; qiě is third tone with a short dip—keep both distinct.
但是 dàn shì：two fourth tones; make two crisp falls, don’t blur into one long drop.
雖然 suī rán：suī is first tone level; rán is second and should rise audibly.
或者 huò zhě vs. 還是 hái shì：huò is fourth tone falling; hái is second rising—this helps keep statement vs. question apart by sound.
於是 yú shì：yú second tone rises, shì fourth tone falls—rise then fall = neat cause→result rhythm.
Practice Plan（Five Honest Minutes）
Read three frames aloud twice each: 因為…所以…；雖然…但是…；如果…就…。
Write two real plans with connectors: 先＿＿，接著＿＿，最後＿＿。
Record a 20-second voice note with one contrast and one result: 不過／但是 ＋ 所以。
Convert a question with 還是 into a statement with 或者 to lock in the difference.
Yak-Style Closing Spark
Connectors are small words with big traffic-control energy. Stack a reason before a result, cushion a “but” when needed, swap 還是／或者 at the right moment, and conversations glide—no road rage, just green lights.