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而

ér

1. correlative conjunction and; and also (linking parallel elements, literary)

   这个方法简单而有效。

   Zhège fāngfǎ jiǎndān ér yǒuxiào.

   This method is simple and effective.

2. correlative conjunction but; yet (marking contrast)

   这些话听起来动听，而实际上并不可行。

   Zhèxiē huà tīng qǐlái dòngtīng, ér shíjì shàng bìng bù kěxíng.

   These words sound pleasant, but in reality they are not feasible.

3. correlative conjunction and so; thus (linking cause, purpose or result)

   他因病而请假回家了。

   Tā yīn bìng ér qǐngjià huí jiā le.

   He took leave and went home because of illness.

4. correlative conjunction (connecting a manner adverbial to the verb)

   他匆匆而来，又匆匆而去。

   Tā cōngcōng ér lái, yòu cōngcōng ér qù.

   He came in a hurry and left in a hurry.

The full ChinesePath dictionary entry for 而 includes audio for every reading and example sentence, more example sentences, collocations, synonyms and links to the course units where it is taught.