bìngqiě: 并且 - And, Furthermore, Moreover

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• Summary: Learn how to use 并且 (bìngqiě), a key Chinese conjunction meaning “and,” “furthermore,” or “moreover.” This guide explains its core meaning, a breakdown of the characters, and crucial differences from a similar word like 和 (hé). Discover practical examples and common mistakes to master this HSK 3 grammar point and make your Chinese sound more structured and articulate.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bìngqiě
• Part of Speech: Conjunction
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A conjunction used to connect two clauses, meaning “and also,” “furthermore,” or “moreover.”
• In a Nutshell: Think of 并且 (bìngqiě) as a step up from the simple English “and.” It doesn't just connect two things; it connects two actions or descriptions, often implying that the second part is an additional, sometimes more important, piece of information. It's used to build a logical bridge between two related ideas, making your expression clearer and more formal.

• 并 (bìng): This character's original form depicted two people standing together. It carries the meaning of “to combine,” “side-by-side,” or “simultaneously.” It suggests a union or combination of elements.
• 且 (qiě): An ancient character that has long served as a grammatical connector, meaning “and,” “also,” or “furthermore.”

When you combine them, 并且 (bìngqiě) literally means “to combine and furthermore.” This structure creates a strong, formal conjunction that emphasizes the addition of a second, related clause.

While a conjunction like 并且 isn't steeped in deep philosophical meaning like 关系 (guānxi), its usage reflects a preference for clear, structured, and logical communication in Chinese formal contexts. Using 并且 is like building an argument or presenting information step-by-step. It shows the listener or reader that the two connected ideas are not just a random list, but have a deliberate relationship. In Western communication, “and” can sometimes be used very loosely to string together unrelated thoughts. In contrast, using 并且 in a business proposal, academic paper, or formal speech in China signals a well-organized thought process. It implies, “Here is my first point, and building upon that, here is my second, equally important point.” It contributes to a tone of seriousness and careful consideration.

并且 is most commonly found in written Chinese and more formal spoken situations. It's a versatile tool for making your language more sophisticated.

• Formal Writing and Speeches: This is its natural habitat. Use it in essays, reports, emails, and presentations to connect related ideas logically.
• Adding Emphasis: When you want to add a second point that reinforces or expands on the first, 并且 is perfect. It tells your audience, “Pay attention, there's more.”
• Connecting Clauses, Not Nouns: This is the most important rule. 并且 connects two verb phrases or two descriptive clauses, usually with the same subject. You do not use it to connect two nouns like “apples and oranges.”

Its formality is generally neutral to formal. While it might sound a bit stiff in very casual chatter among close friends, it is perfectly normal in everyday adult conversations, especially when explaining something.

• Example 1:
  • 他很聪明，并且很努力。
  • Pinyin: Tā hěn cōngmíng, bìngqiě hěn nǔlì.
  • English: He is very smart, and moreover, he is very hardworking.
  • Analysis: This connects two positive attributes about the same person. 并且 adds emphasis, suggesting that his hard work is just as important as his intelligence.
• Example 2:
  • 这个软件不但免费，并且非常有用。
  • Pinyin: Zhège ruǎnjiàn bùdàn miǎnfèi, bìngqiě fēicháng yǒuyòng.
  • English: This software is not only free, but it is also extremely useful.
  • Analysis: Here, 并且 works within the common “不但…而且/并且…” (not only…but also…) pattern to add a second, compelling reason.
• Example 3:
  • 他完成了今天的作业，并且打扫了房间。
  • Pinyin: Tā wánchéngle jīntiān de zuòyè, bìngqiě dǎsǎole fángjiān.
  • English: He finished today's homework and also cleaned the room.
  • Analysis: This example connects two distinct actions performed by the same subject (“he”). It lists his accomplishments in a clear, sequential way.
• Example 4:
  • 这件衣服太贵了，并且颜色我也不喜欢。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yīfú tài guì le, bìngqiě yánsè wǒ yě bù xǐhuān.
  • English: This piece of clothing is too expensive, and besides, I don't like the color either.
  • Analysis: 并且 can also connect two negative points. It's used here to give two separate but related reasons for not buying the clothes.
• Example 5:
  • 我们应该节约用水，并且要循环利用。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yīnggāi jiéyuē yòngshuǐ, bìngqiě yào xúnhuán lìyòng.
  • English: We should conserve water, and furthermore, we must recycle it.
  • Analysis: Used in a more formal, persuasive context. The second clause presents a further step or a more advanced idea related to the first.
• Example 6:
  • 会议讨论了去年的销售情况，并且制定了新一年的计划。
  • Pinyin: Huìyì tǎolùnle qùnián de xiāoshòu qíngkuàng, bìngqiě zhìdìngle xīn yī nián de jìhuà.
  • English: The meeting discussed last year's sales situation and also formulated a plan for the new year.
  • Analysis: A perfect example from a business context. It connects two main agenda items, showing a logical progression from review to planning.
• Example 7:
  • 他没有放弃，并且最终取得了成功。
  • Pinyin: Tā méiyǒu fàngqì, bìngqiě zuìzhōng qǔdéle chénggōng.
  • English: He did not give up, and ultimately, he achieved success.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows a cause-and-effect relationship, where the second clause is a direct result of the first.
• Example 8:
  • 这家餐厅的食物很地道，并且服务态度也很好。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng de shíwù hěn dìdào, bìngqiě fúwù tàidù yě hěn hǎo.
  • English: The food at this restaurant is very authentic, and the service is also very good.
  • Analysis: Connecting two positive aspects of a business, giving a comprehensive good review.
• Example 9:
  • 为了学好中文，他每天都听录音，并且坚持和中国朋友聊天。
  • Pinyin: Wèile xué hǎo Zhōngwén, tā měitiān dū tīng lùyīn, bìngqiě jiānchí hé Zhōngguó péngyǒu liáotiān.
  • English: In order to learn Chinese well, he listens to recordings every day and also insists on chatting with Chinese friends.
  • Analysis: This shows two methods used to achieve a single goal. Both actions are part of his study routine.
• Example 10:
  • 他不仅没有道歉，并且还说那是我的错。
  • Pinyin: Tā bùjǐn méiyǒu dàoqiàn, bìngqiě hái shuō nà shì wǒ de cuò.
  • English: Not only did he not apologize, but he even said it was my fault.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how 并且 can be used to escalate a situation, introducing a second action that is even worse than the first.

The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing 并且 (bìngqiě) with 和 (hé). They both can be translated as “and,” but their grammatical roles are completely different. Rule of Thumb: Use 和 (hé) to connect nouns (things). Use 并且 (bìngqiě) to connect clauses (actions or descriptions).

• Mistake 1: Using 并且 to connect nouns.
  • Incorrect: 我喜欢咖啡 并且 茶。(Wǒ xǐhuān kāfēi bìngqiě chá.)
  • Why it's wrong: “Coffee” and “tea” are nouns. You cannot connect them with 并且.
  • Correct: 我喜欢咖啡 和 茶。(Wǒ xǐhuān kāfēi hé chá.)
• Mistake 2: Using 和 to connect complex clauses.
  • Incorrect (or at least awkward): 他学习很努力 和 常常帮助同学。(Tā xuéxí hěn nǔlì hé chángcháng bāngzhù tóngxué.)
  • Why it's awkward: While sometimes used for very simple, parallel verbs, 和 struggles to connect two full descriptive clauses like this. It sounds choppy and unnatural.
  • Correct: 他学习很努力，并且常常帮助同学。(Tā xuéxí hěn nǔlì, bìngqiě chángcháng bāngzhù tóngxué.)

• 和 (hé) - The most common word for “and.” Use it primarily to connect nouns and noun phrases. It is the direct counterpart to 并且's main point of confusion.
• 而且 (érqiě) - A very close synonym of 并且, meaning “but also” or “moreover.” They are often interchangeable. 而且 can sometimes feel slightly more emphatic or conversational.
• 还 (hái) - An adverb meaning “also” or “in addition.” It is used within a clause to add another piece of information, rather than connecting two separate clauses. (e.g., 我会说中文，还会说一点儿日语 - I can speak Chinese, and also can speak a little Japanese.)
• 另外 (lìngwài) - Means “in addition” or “besides.” It's often used as a transitional word at the beginning of a new sentence to introduce a separate, additional point.
• 以及 (yǐjí) - A formal connector meaning “as well as.” It's typically used to link nouns or noun phrases in a list, often after the first few items have already been mentioned using 和. It's more formal than 和.
• 不但...而且... (bùdàn…érqiě…) - A common sentence structure for “not only… but also…” that expresses a similar additive and emphatic idea. 并且 can often substitute for 而且 in this pattern.