Definitions
(conjunction)
and; but; yet
(conjunction)
indicating causal relation; and so; therefore
Etymology
Originally a pictograph of a beard, now written as 耏. The current use as a conjunction is a phonetic loan.
About
The character 而 began as a pictographic representation of a beard or whiskers, which established its initial meaning as a noun referring to facial hair. From this concrete origin, its function shifted over time to assume a purely grammatical role, evolving into a versatile conjunction used to connect phrases and clauses in classical Chinese. This transition involved shedding its nominal sense to express relationships of sequence, contrast, or continuation between ideas, a semantic development that solidified its place as a fundamental connective particle in the language. In modern usage, it maintains these abstract relational functions, entirely detached from its pictorial beginnings, while continuing to structure logical flow in both written and formal contexts.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我喜欢咖啡而他喜欢茶。
他因为生病而没来上班。
这个故事有趣而有教育意义。
她匆匆看了一眼，而后离开了房间。
这项任务看似简单，而实际上非常复杂。
他们面对困难，不是逃避，而是勇敢解决。
尽管天气不好，而我们还是决定出发。
随着时间的推移，他的观点逐渐改变，而最初的想法已不复存在。