而
Character learning workspace

ér · and, and then, and yet

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 4HSK 3.0 · Level 4Frequency #75
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Learn every stroke in 而

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Step-by-step explorer

See how 而 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Writing notes

Shape and proportion

6Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Top-bottomCharacter structure

Keep the upper section balanced above the lower section.

而Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 而 writing sheet

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 而

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

érWords pronounced ér
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Example sentences

Notice where 而 sits in each complete thought.

Wǒ yǒu qián, wǒ pàng ér qiě wǒ kuài lè.我有钱,我胖而且我快乐。

I am rich, fat and happy.

Source: Tatoeba #3378033 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ bù néng qù nà lǐ, ér qiě wǒ gēn běn bù xiǎng qù.我不能去那里,而且我根本不想去。

I can't go, nor do I want to.

Source: Tatoeba #2342823 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ shì nǐ de, ér nǐ shì wǒ de.我是你的,而你是我的。

I am yours and you are mine.

Source: Tatoeba #5526845 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ shì tā de, ér tā shì wǒ de.我是她的,而她是我的。

I am hers and she is mine.

Source: Tatoeba #5526849 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā ài de bú shì nǐ, ér shì wǒ.她爱的不是你,而是我。

It's not you that she loves, it's me.

Source: Tatoeba #1361994 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā méi yǒu chū qù, ér shì zuò xià le.他没有出去,而是坐下了。

He didn't go out, but instead sat down.

Source: Tatoeba #1313744 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 而 in context

  1. Say ér, then recall the core meaning: and, and then, and yet.
  2. Write all 6 strokes while keeping the top-bottom balanced.
  3. Use it in 然而 (rán ér), meaning “however”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 而 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.