4 · Linking clauses
Moreover: érqiě, bìngqiě, shènzhì
adding a point and raising the stakes
Érqiě adds a point, bìngqiě adds a step in a more formal register, and shènzhì goes as far as the surprising extreme.
而且 on its own, without 不但, means “and what is more”: it adds a second point and puts the weight on it. 这个办法简单，而且有效, “this method is simple, and it works”. It can join two clauses or two adjectives, and the second clause often adds 也 or 还.
并且 also means “and, moreover”, but it is more formal and is especially used to join two actions of the same subject: 他接受了邀请，并且准备了发言, “he accepted the invitation and prepared a speech”. In conversation 而且 is the usual word; instructions, minutes and reports prefer 并且.
甚至, “even, so far as to”, introduces the item that goes beyond what anyone would expect: 他忙得甚至忘了吃饭, “he was so busy he even forgot to eat”. It can stand before a verb, a noun or a clause, and it often joins forces with 连 … 都.
All three fill a gap that English fills with “and”. 和 joins nouns; between two clauses it is wrong, however natural it feels, and between two verbs it sounds stiff outside formal writing. Either use one of the words here, or simply put the two clauses side by side with a comma — Chinese is comfortable with that.
The form
| adding: 而且 | 这个办法简单，而且有效。 |
| formal: 并且 | 他接受了邀请，并且准备了发言。 |
| even: 甚至 | 他忙得甚至忘了吃饭。 |
| 甚至 with 连 | 这件事甚至连他妈妈都不知道。 |
| 甚至 before a noun | 很多大人，甚至孩子，都会用这个软件。 |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
而且 on its own adds a further point and puts the weight on it.
天黑了，而且开始下雨了。It had got dark, and on top of that it had started to rain.
并且 joins two actions of the same subject in formal speech and writing.
公司接受了他的建议，并且马上开始实施。The company accepted his suggestion and began putting it into practice at once.
甚至 introduces the item that goes beyond what anyone would expect.
他的中文很好，甚至会写毛笔字。His Chinese is excellent — he can even write with a brush.
甚至 often joins forces with 连 … 都.
我太累了，甚至连话都不想说。I’m so tired I don’t even feel like talking.
和 joins nouns; between two clauses use 而且, 并且 or just a comma.
我洗了衣服，而且把房间也打扫了。I did the washing, and I cleaned the room as well.
A closer look
Other ways of adding
Inside a clause, the adverbs 也 and 还 add things on their own, without any conjunction. Between sentences, 另外 (“besides, in addition”) introduces a separate point, and 此外 does the same in writing.
In conversation, 再说 adds one more argument to support a point already made: 太晚了，再说外面还在下雨，明天去吧, “it’s too late — and besides, it’s still raining; let’s go tomorrow”.
How to spot it
- 而且
- 并且
- 甚至
- 甚至连…都
Example sentences
这家店离我家近，而且东西也不贵。This shop is near my home, and the things aren’t expensive either.
请认真阅读合同，并且在最后一页签名。Please read the contract carefully and sign on the last page.
他紧张得甚至说不出话来。He was so nervous he couldn’t even get a word out.
这首歌很流行，年轻人、老人，甚至孩子们都会唱。This song is very popular — young people, old people, even children can sing it.
她会说英语和法语，而且说得都很流利。She speaks English and French, and fluently at that.
那天雪下得很大，很多航班推迟了，有的甚至被取消了。It snowed heavily that day; many flights were delayed and some were even cancelled.
7 more example sentences
这部电影很长，而且有点儿无聊。This film is long, and a bit boring too.
会议讨论了这个问题，并且做出了决定。The meeting discussed the issue and reached a decision.
他太生气了，甚至不想看我一眼。He was so angry he wouldn’t even look at me.
我没时间，而且也没钱。I have no time, and no money either.
学生应按时完成作业，并且在周五以前交给老师。Students should complete their homework on time and hand it in before Friday.
这条街白天很热闹，晚上甚至比白天还热闹。This street is lively in the day, and at night it is even livelier.
她每天练琴三个小时，周末甚至练五个小时。She practises the piano three hours a day, and at weekends as much as five.
Worth knowing (1)
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Shènzhì with a number
Before an amount, 甚至 means “as much as, even more”: it marks the figure as surprisingly high (or, with a negative, surprisingly low).
他每天工作十个小时，有时甚至十二个小时。He works ten hours a day, sometimes as many as twelve.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
English “and” links the two clauses without a second thought. 和 cannot: it joins nouns, not clauses. Between two clauses, Chinese uses 而且 when the second point adds something, or a plain comma.
Érqiě adds, bìngqiě adds formally, shènzhì goes to the extreme — and hé stays between nouns.
Your turn
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