以及

yǐjí: 以及 - As well as, in addition to, and

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: Learn how to use 以及 (yǐjí), a key Chinese conjunction meaning 'as well as' or 'in addition to'. This comprehensive guide explains its formal usage, its crucial differences from 和 (hé) and 跟 (gēn), and provides clear example sentences to help beginners master this essential connector for listing items in both written and spoken formal Chinese.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): yǐjí
  • Part of Speech: Conjunction
  • HSK Level: HSK 4
  • Concise Definition: A formal conjunction used to connect nouns, noun phrases, or clauses, meaning “as well as” or “in addition to.”
  • In a Nutshell: Think of 以及 (yǐjí) as a more formal and structured version of “and.” It's the word you choose when you're writing an essay, giving a presentation, or reporting news, not when you're telling a friend what you bought at the market. It's used to connect items in a list, especially when the items are slightly different in nature or when you want to signal a more comprehensive, organized thought process. Using 以及 elevates your language from casual to sophisticated.

Character Breakdown

  • 以 (yǐ): This character has many functions. Here, it can be understood as “to take” or “by means of.” It sets up the idea of including something.
  • 及 (jí): This character's original form depicted a hand reaching a person, meaning “to reach,” “to catch up with,” or “to extend to.”
  • Together: 以 (yǐ) + 及 (jí) literally means “to take and extend to…” This creates the conjunctive meaning of “as well as” or “in addition to,” implying a list that is being extended to include the final items.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • 以及 doesn't carry deep philosophical weight like `关系 (guānxi)`, but its usage is highly significant in understanding Chinese cultural norms around communication. The Chinese language makes a strong distinction between formal, written language (书面语, shūmiànyǔ) and informal, spoken language (口语, kǒuyǔ).
  • Using words like 以及 is a clear signal that the context is formal, serious, and structured. This is important in situations that demand respect and precision, such as academia, business, government, and news reporting. Choosing the right level of formality shows education and social awareness.
  • In Western culture, the difference between “and” and “as well as” is more a matter of style. In Chinese, choosing 以及 over 和 (hé) is a more deliberate and meaningful choice about the context and tone of the entire communication. For a learner, mastering this distinction is a key step from conversational fluency to sophisticated proficiency.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Formal Writing: This is the primary home for 以及. You will see it constantly in textbooks, news articles, company reports, and legal documents. It helps to organize long lists of items, especially when they are complex noun phrases.
  • Formal Speech: It is frequently used in university lectures, business presentations, official speeches, and news broadcasts. It adds a sense of deliberation and completeness to the speaker's points.
  • Structuring Lists: 以及 is often used to connect the last item or group of items in a list, especially if those items are of a different category or represent a broader concept than the preceding items. For example, you might list several specific products, and then use 以及 to add “related services.”

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我们需要准备食物、饮料，以及一些娱乐活动。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào zhǔnbèi shíwù, yǐnliào, yǐjí yīxiē yúlè huódòng.
    • English: We need to prepare food, drinks, as well as some entertainment activities.
    • Analysis: This is a classic example. “Food” and “drinks” are similar concrete items. “Entertainment activities” is a broader, different category. 以及 is used to connect this final, distinct element to the list, making it sound well-organized.
  • Example 2:
    • 这次会议讨论了经济发展、环境保护，以及社会稳定等重要议题。
    • Pinyin: Zhècì huìyì tǎolùnle jīngjì fāzhǎn, huánjìng bǎohù, yǐjí shèhuì wěndìng děng zhòngyào yìtí.
    • English: This meeting discussed important topics such as economic development, environmental protection, as well as social stability.
    • Analysis: Perfect for a formal report or summary. The items are all abstract, complex concepts (noun phrases), making the formal connector 以及 more appropriate than the simple 和 (hé).
  • Example 3:
    • 获奖者包括多位杰出的科学家、艺术家，以及一位著名的慈善家。
    • Pinyin: Huòjiǎngzhě bāokuò duō wèi jiéchū de kēxuéjiā, yìshùjiā, yǐjí yī wèi zhùmíng de císhànjiā.
    • English: The award winners include many outstanding scientists, artists, as well as a famous philanthropist.
    • Analysis: Here, scientists and artists form one group of “creators,” while the philanthropist is a distinct role. 以及 elegantly separates and adds this final, unique category of winner.
  • Example 4:
    • 本公司为员工提供有竞争力的薪酬、完善的福利，以及良好的职业发展空间。
    • Pinyin: Běn gōngsī wèi yuángōng tígōng yǒu jìngzhēnglì de xīnchóu, wánshàn de fúlì, yǐjí liánghǎo de zhíyè fāzhǎn kōngjiān.
    • English: Our company provides employees with competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, as well as good career development opportunities.
    • Analysis: Used in a formal business context (e.g., a job description). The three items are all part of a benefits package, but they are distinct and complex phrases. 以及 structures the list professionally.
  • Example 5:
    • 要学好中文，你需要了解汉字、语法，以及其背后的文化。
    • Pinyin: Yào xuéhǎo Zhōngwén, nǐ xūyào liǎojiě Hànzì, yǔfǎ, yǐjí qí bèihòu de wénhuà.
    • English: To learn Chinese well, you need to understand the characters, grammar, as well as the culture behind it.
    • Analysis: “Characters” and “grammar” are concrete linguistic components. “The culture behind it” is a much broader, more abstract concept. 以及 is the perfect bridge to connect this encompassing idea to the specific study points.
  • Example 6:
    • 图书馆里有各种小说、杂志，以及大量的学术期刊。
    • Pinyin: Túshūguǎn li yǒu gèzhǒng xiǎoshuō, zázhì, yǐjí dàliàng de xuéshù qīkān.
    • English: The library has all kinds of novels, magazines, as well as a large number of academic journals.
    • Analysis: This example shows grouping. “Novels and magazines” are for general reading, while “academic journals” form a more specific, scholarly category. 以及 highlights this distinction.
  • Example 7:
    • 参加此次活动的有来自北京、上海的代表，以及一些海外华人。
    • Pinyin: Cānjiā cǐcì huódòng de yǒu láizì Běijīng, Shànghǎi de dàibiǎo, yǐjí yīxiē hǎiwài Huárén.
    • English: Participants in this event include representatives from Beijing and Shanghai, as well as some overseas Chinese.
    • Analysis: The list separates domestic representatives from international ones. 以及 effectively creates these two groups within a single sentence.
  • Example 8:
    • 展览展示了该公司的最新产品、技术，以及未来的战略规划。
    • Pinyin: Zhǎnlǎn zhǎnshìle gāi gōngsī de zuìxīn chǎnpǐn, jìshù, yǐjí wèilái de zhànlüè guīhuà.
    • English: The exhibition displayed the company's latest products, technologies, as well as its future strategic plan.
    • Analysis: This sentence moves from the tangible (products, tech) to the intangible and forward-looking (strategic plan). 以及 handles this shift in concept smoothly.
  • Example 9:
    • 申请材料需要包括你的简历、推荐信，以及一份个人陈述。
    • Pinyin: Shēnqǐng cáiliào xūyào bāokuò nǐ de jiǎnlì, tuījiànxìn, yǐjí yī fèn gèrén chénshù.
    • English: The application materials need to include your resume, letters of recommendation, as well as a personal statement.
    • Analysis: Common in official instructions or academic contexts. It provides a clear, formal list of required documents.
  • Example 10:
    • 政府报告指出了目前的成就，以及我们依然面临的挑战。
    • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ bàogào zhǐchūle mùqián de chéngjiù, yǐjí wǒmen yīrán miànlín de tiǎozhàn.
    • English: The government report pointed out the current achievements as well as the challenges we still face.
    • Analysis: Here, 以及 connects two contrasting but related clauses: positive achievements and negative challenges. This demonstrates its ability to link more than just single nouns, a task for which 和 (hé) would be unsuitable.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • The Biggest Mistake: Using 以及 in Casual Conversation.
    • Saying “我喜欢咖啡以及茶” (Wǒ xǐhuān kāfēi yǐjí chá) is grammatically correct but sounds very unnatural and overly formal, like wearing a tuxedo to a picnic.
    • Correction: For everyday speech, always use 和 (hé) or 跟 (gēn). “我喜欢咖啡和茶” (Wǒ xǐhuān kāfēi hé chá) is the natural and correct way to say it.
  • 以及 (yǐjí) vs. 和 (hé)
    • Formality: 以及 is formal; 和 is neutral/informal.
    • Scope: 以及 can connect longer phrases and even clauses. 和 typically connects single words or short phrases.
    • Position: 以及 often connects the last item or group in a list, especially if it's different from the preceding items. 和 simply connects items of equal weight.
    • Example: “我们讨论了A、B，以及C和D” (We discussed A, B, as well as C and D). Here, 以及 groups (C and D) and connects them to the first part of the list.
  • 以及 (yǐjí) vs. 与 (yǔ)
    • 与 (yǔ) is also a formal “and,” but it is even more literary and classical than 以及. You often see it in titles, fixed expressions, and very high-level academic writing (e.g., 《战争与和平》- “War and Peace”). For most formal situations, 以及 is the more common and safer choice.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 和 (hé) - The default, all-purpose “and.” Your go-to for daily conversation.
  • 与 (yǔ) - A highly formal, literary “and.” More formal and less common in speech than 以及.
  • 跟 (gēn) - A colloquial “and” or “with.” Very common in spoken Chinese, especially in northern China. Functionally similar to 和 in many contexts.
  • 还有 (háiyǒu) - “also,” “in addition,” “furthermore.” Used to add another item or point, often starting a new phrase. (e.g., “我买了苹果、香蕉，还有一些牛奶” - I bought apples, bananas, and also some milk.)
  • 并且 (bìngqiě) - “and also,” “furthermore.” Primarily used to connect two verb phrases or clauses, emphasizing the addition of a second action.
  • 另外 (lìngwài) - “in addition,” “besides.” Often used as an adverb at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a new, separate point.
  • 书面语 (shūmiànyǔ) - Formal, written language. The primary context where you will find 以及.
  • 口语 (kǒuyǔ) - Colloquial, spoken language. The context where you will almost always use 和 or 跟.