而

ér

HSK 4

#36 most

frequent character

and, as well as, and so, but (not)

conjunction

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

而 is a picture of a beard, which was its first meaning. The conjunction 'and' was borrowed only for its sound.

Drawn as: beard

而 as a component in other characters

meaning2 characters

耐耍

sound5 characters

需耐鸸恧鲕

empty1 character

耑

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Example Sentences

我喜欢夏天，而她喜欢冬天。

wǒ xǐhuān xiàtiān ， ér tā xǐhuān dōngtiān 。

I like summer, but she likes winter.

他很聪明，而他的妹妹更聪明。

tā hěn cōngmíng ， ér tāde mèimèi gēng cōngmíng 。

He is very smart, and his younger sister is even smarter.

这道题很简单，而那道题很难。

zhè dào tí hěnjiǎndān ， ér nà dào tí hěn nán 。

This question is easy, but that question is difficult.

Grammar Points

HSK 4

Explaining purpose with "wei... er..."为…而

HSK 4

Using "er" to explain contrasting ideas 不是…而是

HSK 6

Using "because" with "er" to indicate effect 因…而

HSK 3

Expressing "not only... but also" with "budan... erqie..."不但…而且

Homophones

儿ér

child, son

Words Starting With 而

而且ér qiě

(not only ...) but also; moreover; in addition; furthermore

而已ér yǐ

that's all; nothing more

Your word lists

Public Lists with 而

HSK 4

All words for the HSK 4 test