In Mandarin Chinese, the conjunctions 和 (hé), 与 (yǔ), and 及 (jí) are commonly used to express “and,” but each has distinct applications.
和 (hé)
和 is the most broadly used of the three and is prevalent in both spoken and written language.
It can link nouns, verbs, or adjectives, representing an equal union among the elements it connects.
Noun + 和 + Noun
Verb + 和 + Verb
Adjective + 和 + Adjective
e.g.
老师和学生都赞成这个意见。 (Lǎoshī hé xuéshēng dōu zànchéng zhège yìjiàn.) Both the teacher and the students agree with this opinion.
这件事情还要进一步调查和了解。 (Zhè jiàn shìqíng hái yào jìnyībù diàochá hé liǎojiě.) This matter needs further investigation and understanding.
他的话是那样明确和有力。 (Tā de huà shì nàyàng míngquè hé yǒulì.) His words are so clear and powerful.
When connecting three or more items, 和 is placed between the last two items, with the others separated by commas.
……，……，和 ……
e.g.
北京、天津、上海和广州都进行了这项工作。 (Běijīng, Tiānjīn, Shànghǎi hé Guǎngzhōu dōu jìnxíng le zhè xiàng gōngzuò.) Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Guangzhou all conducted this work.
一切事物都有发生、发展和消亡的过程。 (Yīqiè shìwù dōu yǒu fāshēng, fāzhǎn hé xiāowáng de guòchéng.) All things have a process of occurrence, development, and demise.
与 (yǔ)
与 is more formal than 和 and is predominantly used in written language. It can link nouns, verbs, or adjectives and often appears in academic or formal settings.
Noun + 与 + Noun
Verb + 与 + Verb
Adjective + 与 + Adjective
e.g.
工业与农业的发展都依赖科学技术的进步。 (Gōngyè yǔ nóngyè de fāzhǎn dōu yīlài kēxué jìshù de jìnbù.) The development of industry and agriculture both depend on the advancement of science and technology.
批评与自我批评是增强团结的有力措施。 (Pīpíng yǔ zìwǒ pīpíng shì zēngqiáng tuánjié de yǒulì cuòshī.) Criticism and self-criticism are effective measures to strengthen unity.
实现和平与巩固和平是两件事。 (Shíxiàn hépíng yǔ gǒnggù hépíng shì liǎng jiàn shì.) Achieving peace and consolidating peace are two different things.
及 (jí)
及 is typically used in formal written Chinese, especially in lists where it connects closely related or sequential items. The part after 及 is often less important item than others. Like 与, it is often found in academic or formal texts.
Noun phrase, Noun phrase + 及 + Noun phrase
e.g.
医生、护士们决定，联合本市所有医院的医护人员及社会各界人士，为孤残儿童献爱心。 (Yīshēng, hùshìmen juédìng, liánhé běnshì suǒyǒu yīyuàn de yīhù rényuán jí shèhuì gè jiè rénshì, wèi gūcán értóng xiàn àixīn.) Doctors and nurses have decided to unite medical staff from all hospitals in the city and people from all walks of life to show love for orphaned and disabled children.
图书、仪器及其他物品已经搬进了新教学楼。 (Túshū, yíqì jí qítā wùpǐn yǐjīng bān jìn le xīn jiàoxué lóu.) Books, instruments, and other items have already been moved into the new teaching building.
北京、上海、广州、深圳及其他各大城市均已开展环境治理工作。(Běijīng, Shànghǎi, Guǎngzhōu, Shēnzhèn jí qítā gè dà chéngshì jūn yǐ kāizhǎn huánjìng zhìlǐ gōngzuò.) Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and other major cities have all initiated environmental governance efforts.
Learn more about 跟 (gēn) vs 和 (hé)
Exercise
