Chinese Linking Words And Connectors For Beginners

Learn how to join ideas with linking words in Chinese: 连接词 liánjiēcí.

These tiny words do a huge job. Without them, your Chinese can sound like a pile of fridge magnets. With them, your sentences start to flow like actual human speech.

Chinese linking words connect ideas like “and,” “but,” “because,” “so,” and “then.” They help you add information, show contrast, explain reasons, talk about conditions, and move a story forward without sounding robotic.

In this guide, you will learn the most useful connectors in simplified Chinese, see how they work in real sentences, and get a quick reference you can actually use when speaking or writing.

Yak Tip

You do not need fifty fancy connectors on day one. Start with a small set that native speakers use constantly: 和 hé, 但是 dànshì, 因为 yīnwèi, 所以 suǒyǐ, 如果 rúguǒ, and 然后 ránhòu. That alone already makes your Chinese sound far less like a badly translated robot manual.

The Core Linking Words To Learn First

和 hé

and

但是 dànshì

but / however

因为 yīnwèi

because

所以 suǒyǐ

so / therefore

如果 rúguǒ

虽然 suīrán

although

然后 ránhòu

then / after that

或者 huòzhě

How Chinese Connectors Work

Add Ideas Together

Use 和 hé, 也 yě, 而且 érqiě, and 并且 bìngqiě when you want to add information. 和 hé is the everyday “and.” The others feel more like “also,” “and also,” or “moreover.”

我喜欢咖啡和茶。
wǒ xǐhuān kāfēi hé chá.
I like coffee and tea.
她会说中文，也会说英语。
tā huì shuō Zhōngwén, yě huì shuō Yīngyǔ.
She can speak Chinese, and she can also speak English.

Show Contrast

Use 但是 dànshì, 可是 kěshì, 不过 búguò, and 然而 rán’ér when one idea pushes against another. 但是 dànshì is the safest everyday choice. 然而 rán’ér sounds more formal.

我很想去，但是今天没时间。
wǒ hěn xiǎng qù, dànshì jīntiān méi shíjiān.
I really want to go, but I do not have time today.
这家店有点贵，不过很好吃。
zhè jiā diàn yǒudiǎn guì, búguò hěn hǎochī.
This place is a bit expensive, but the food is very good.

Explain Reasons And Results

Because-and-so pairs are everywhere in Chinese. 因为 yīnwèi gives the reason, and 所以 suǒyǐ gives the result. In casual speech, people sometimes drop one of them, but beginners should learn the full pattern first.

因为下雨，所以我们不出去。
yīnwèi xiàyǔ, suǒyǐ wǒmen bù chūqù.
Because it is raining, we are not going out.
他生病了，因此今天没来。
tā shēngbìng le, yīncǐ jīntiān méi lái.
He got sick; therefore, he did not come today.

Talk About Time And Sequence

Use 然后 ránhòu, 先 xiān, 再 zài, and 最后 zuìhòu to tell things in order. This is useful for routines, recipes, stories, directions, and all the daily life stuff that textbooks somehow manage to make sound weird.

我先洗澡，再睡觉。
wǒ xiān xǐzǎo, zài shuìjiào.
I will shower first, then sleep.
我们先吃饭，然后去看电影。
wǒmen xiān chīfàn, ránhòu qù kàn diànyǐng.
We will eat first, then go watch a movie.

Set Up Conditions

Use 如果 rúguǒ, 要是 yàoshi, and 只要 zhǐyào when something depends on something else. These all relate to “if,” but the tone changes a bit. 只要 zhǐyào often means “as long as.”

如果你有空，我们一起吃饭。
rúguǒ nǐ yǒu kòng, wǒmen yìqǐ chīfàn.
If you are free, we can eat together.
只要你努力，就会进步。
zhǐyào nǐ nǔlì, jiù huì jìnbù.
As long as you work hard, you will improve.

Show Concession

Sometimes two ideas clash, but both are true. That is where 虽然 suīrán and 但是 dànshì come in. Think “although … but …”

虽然他很忙，但是他还是来了。
suīrán tā hěn máng, dànshì tā háishì lái le.
Although he is very busy, he still came.

Useful Pairs You Will See All The Time

Pattern	Meaning	Example In Chinese	Pinyin	English
因为 yīnwèi … 所以 suǒyǐ …	because … so …	因为天气冷，所以我穿了外套。	yīnwèi tiānqì lěng, suǒyǐ wǒ chuān le wàitào.	Because the weather is cold, I put on a coat.
虽然 suīrán … 但是 dànshì …	although … but …	虽然这个问题很难，但是我明白了。	suīrán zhège wèntí hěn nán, dànshì wǒ míngbai le.	Although this question is hard, I understand it now.
如果 rúguǒ … 就 jiù …	if … then …	如果你明天来，我们就一起去。	rúguǒ nǐ míngtiān lái, wǒmen jiù yìqǐ qù.	If you come tomorrow, then we will go together.
不但 búdàn … 而且 érqiě …	not only … but also …	他不但会做饭，而且做得很好。	tā búdàn huì zuòfàn, érqiě zuò de hěn hǎo.	He not only can cook, but he cooks very well.
一边 yìbiān … 一边 yìbiān …	while … doing …	她一边听音乐，一边做作业。	tā yìbiān tīng yīnyuè, yìbiān zuò zuòyè.	She listens to music while doing homework.
先 xiān … 再 zài …	first … then …	先买票，再进去。	xiān mǎi piào, zài jìnqù.	Buy the ticket first, then go in.

Connectors By Function

Addition And Similar Ideas

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example In Chinese	Example Pinyin	English
和	hé	and	我买了苹果和香蕉。	wǒ mǎi le píngguǒ hé xiāngjiāo.	I bought apples and bananas.
也	yě	also	我喜欢看书，他也喜欢。	wǒ xǐhuān kànshū, tā yě xǐhuān.	I like reading, and he does too.
而且	érqiě	and also / moreover	这件衣服便宜，而且很好看。	zhè jiàn yīfu piányi, érqiě hěn hǎokàn.	This piece of clothing is cheap, and it also looks nice.
并且	bìngqiě	and / furthermore	他很认真，并且很有礼貌。	tā hěn rènzhēn, bìngqiě hěn yǒu lǐmào.	He is serious and also very polite.
另外	lìngwài	besides / in addition	我想喝咖啡，另外再点一个蛋糕。	wǒ xiǎng hē kāfēi, lìngwài zài diǎn yí gè dàngāo.	I want coffee, and in addition I will order a cake.
还有	háiyǒu	also / in addition / there is also	我们买了水果，还有牛奶。	wǒmen mǎi le shuǐguǒ, háiyǒu niúnǎi.	We bought fruit, and also milk.

Contrast And Change Of Direction

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example In Chinese	Example Pinyin	English
但是	dànshì	but / however	我很累，但是还要工作。	wǒ hěn lèi, dànshì hái yào gōngzuò.	I am tired, but I still need to work.
可是	kěshì	but	我想帮你，可是我不会。	wǒ xiǎng bāng nǐ, kěshì wǒ bú huì.	I want to help you, but I do not know how.
不过	búguò	however / but	这个手机不便宜，不过很好用。	zhège shǒujī bù piányi, búguò hěn hǎoyòng.	This phone is not cheap; however, it is very useful.
然而	rán’ér	however / nevertheless	他很努力，然而结果不理想。	tā hěn nǔlì, rán’ér jiéguǒ bù lǐxiǎng.	He worked hard; however, the result was not ideal.
相反	xiāngfǎn	on the contrary	他不紧张，相反很放松。	tā bù jǐnzhāng, xiāngfǎn hěn fàngsōng.	He is not nervous; on the contrary, he is relaxed.
只是	zhǐshì	it is just that / except that	这家店不错，只是有点远。	zhè jiā diàn búcuò, zhǐshì yǒudiǎn yuǎn.	This place is good; it is just a bit far.

Reason, Result, And Purpose

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example In Chinese	Example Pinyin	English
因为	yīnwèi	because	因为我明天早起，所以今晚早点睡。	yīnwèi wǒ míngtiān zǎoqǐ, suǒyǐ jīnwǎn zǎodiǎn shuì.	Because I have to get up early tomorrow, I will sleep early tonight.
所以	suǒyǐ	so / therefore	今天很热，所以大家都想喝冰水。	jīntiān hěn rè, suǒyǐ dàjiā dōu xiǎng hē bīngshuǐ.	It is hot today, so everyone wants cold water.
因此	yīncǐ	therefore	他没准备，因此有点紧张。	tā méi zhǔnbèi, yīncǐ yǒudiǎn jǐnzhāng.	He did not prepare; therefore, he is a bit nervous.
为了	wèile	in order to / for the sake of	为了学好中文，我每天练习。	wèile xué hǎo Zhōngwén, wǒ měitiān liànxí.	In order to learn Chinese well, I practice every day.
于是	yúshì	so / as a result	我找不到公交车站，于是问了路人。	wǒ zhǎo bú dào gōngjiāochē zhàn, yúshì wèn le lùrén.	I could not find the bus stop, so I asked a passerby.
结果	jiéguǒ	as a result / in the end	他学了一晚上，结果还是忘了。	tā xué le yí wǎnshang, jiéguǒ háishì wàng le.	He studied all evening, but in the end he still forgot.

Time, Sequence, And Choice

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example In Chinese	Example Pinyin	English
然后	ránhòu	then / after that	先写名字，然后交表。	xiān xiě míngzi, ránhòu jiāo biǎo.	Write your name first, then hand in the form.
先	xiān	first	你先坐，我马上来。	nǐ xiān zuò, wǒ mǎshàng lái.	Please sit first; I will come right away.
再	zài	then / again / afterward	吃完饭再说吧。	chī wán fàn zài shuō ba.	Let us talk after the meal.
最后	zuìhòu	finally / in the end	最后，我们决定坐地铁。	zuìhòu, wǒmen juédìng zuò dìtiě.	Finally, we decided to take the subway.
或者	huòzhě	or	你想喝茶或者咖啡？	nǐ xiǎng hē chá huòzhě kāfēi?	Would you like tea or coffee?
还是	háishì	or	你今天坐公交车还是坐地铁？	nǐ jīntiān zuò gōngjiāochē háishì zuò dìtiě?	Are you taking the bus or the subway today?

Condition And Concession

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example In Chinese	Example Pinyin	English
如果	rúguǒ	if	如果明天下雪，我就不出门。	rúguǒ míngtiān xiàxuě, wǒ jiù bù chūmén.	If it snows tomorrow, I will not go out.
要是	yàoshi	if	要是你不懂，可以问老师。	yàoshi nǐ bù dǒng, kěyǐ wèn lǎoshī.	If you do not understand, you can ask the teacher.
只要	zhǐyào	as long as	只要你坚持，就能看到进步。	zhǐyào nǐ jiānchí, jiù néng kàn dào jìnbù.	As long as you keep going, you can see progress.
虽然	suīrán	although	虽然路很远，但是我们还是去了。	suīrán lù hěn yuǎn, dànshì wǒmen háishì qù le.	Although the road was far, we still went.
即使	jíshǐ	even if	即使很忙，我也会回复你。	jíshǐ hěn máng, wǒ yě huì huífù nǐ.	Even if I am busy, I will reply to you.
尽管	jǐnguǎn	although / even though	尽管很晚了，他还在看书。	jǐnguǎn hěn wǎn le, tā hái zài kànshū.	Even though it is late, he is still reading.

A Tiny But Important Difference: 或者 huòzhě Vs 还是 háishì

These two both mean “or,” but they are not twins.

或者 huòzhě is often used in statements: 我明天坐火车或者飞机。wǒ míngtiān zuò huǒchē huòzhě fēijī. — Tomorrow I will take the train or the plane.
还是 háishì is often used in questions: 你明天坐火车还是飞机？nǐ míngtiān zuò huǒchē háishì fēijī? — Are you taking the train or the plane tomorrow?

Mixing them up will not end civilization, but using the right one makes you sound much more natural.

Practice With Real-Life Mini Drills

Drill 1: Add The Best Connector

我很想去，______ 我今天要加班。
Answer: 但是 dànshì
我很想去，但是我今天要加班。
wǒ hěn xiǎng qù, dànshì wǒ jīntiān yào jiābān.
I really want to go, but I have to work overtime today.
______ 下雨，______ 我们在家看电影。
Answer: 因为 yīnwèi / 所以 suǒyǐ
因为下雨，所以我们在家看电影。
yīnwèi xiàyǔ, suǒyǐ wǒmen zài jiā kàn diànyǐng.
Because it is raining, we are watching a movie at home.
你可以坐公交车，______ 可以打车。
Answer: 或者 huòzhě
你可以坐公交车，或者可以打车。
nǐ kěyǐ zuò gōngjiāochē, huòzhě kěyǐ dǎchē.
You can take the bus, or you can get a taxi.

Drill 2: Build A Time Sequence

Put these actions in order with 先 xiān, 然后 ránhòu, 再 zài, and 最后 zuìhòu.

起床 qǐchuáng → 刷牙 shuāyá → 吃早饭 chī zǎofàn → 出门 chūmén

Sample answer:
我先起床，然后刷牙，再吃早饭，最后出门。
wǒ xiān qǐchuáng, ránhòu shuāyá, zài chī zǎofàn, zuìhòu chūmén.
I get up first, then brush my teeth, then eat breakfast, and finally go out.

Drill 3: Condition Or Contrast?

______ 你有问题，就问我。
Answer: 如果 rúguǒ / 要是 yàoshi
如果你有问题，就问我。
rúguǒ nǐ yǒu wèntí, jiù wèn wǒ.
If you have a question, then ask me.
______ 他不高，______ 他打篮球打得很好。
Answer: 虽然 suīrán / 但是 dànshì
虽然他不高，但是他打篮球打得很好。
suīrán tā bù gāo, dànshì tā dǎ lánqiú dǎ de hěn hǎo.
Although he is not tall, he plays basketball very well.

Common Mistakes And Fast Fixes

Using 还是 háishì in statements: Say 或者 huòzhě in a normal statement. Use 还是 háishì mainly in questions.
Forgetting the pair: Beginners often learn 因为 yīnwèi but forget 所以 suǒyǐ, or learn 虽然 suīrán but forget 但是 dànshì. Learn the full pair first, then get flexible later.
Using too many connectors in one sentence: One clear connector is better than three dramatic ones fighting for attention.
Choosing formal words too early: 然而 rán’ér and 因此 yīncǐ are useful, but 但是 dànshì and 所以 suǒyǐ are more practical for everyday conversation.
Ignoring word order in conditional patterns: 如果 rúguǒ usually comes before the condition, and 就 jiù usually introduces the result.

Quick Reference Summary

Job	Best Starter Connector	Backup Options
Add information	和 hé / 也 yě	而且 érqiě, 并且 bìngqiě, 另外 lìngwài
Show contrast	但是 dànshì	可是 kěshì, 不过 búguò, 然而 rán’ér
Give a reason	因为 yīnwèi	由于 yóuyú
Show a result	所以 suǒyǐ	因此 yīncǐ, 于是 yúshì, 结果 jiéguǒ
Talk about sequence	然后 ránhòu	先 xiān, 再 zài, 最后 zuìhòu
Make a condition	如果 rúguǒ	要是 yàoshi, 只要 zhǐyào
Show concession	虽然 suīrán	即使 jíshǐ, 尽管 jǐnguǎn
Give choices	或者 huòzhě	还是 háishì for questions

Final Yak Box

If your Chinese sentences feel short and choppy, connectors are probably the missing piece. Learn a few high-frequency ones, repeat them in real sentences, and your speaking will sound smoother fast. Not perfect. Not poetic. Just much more natural, which is exactly the win most learners actually need.