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继而 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
继而jì’érthenHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #27753, Very Hard
继而jì’érafterwardsHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #27753, Very Hard
jì’ér(ji4er2) T4
  1. 1then
  2. 2afterwards
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March 24, 2026

继而(繼而)jì’ér(ji4er2)

继而 (jì ér) means 'then' or 'afterwards', indicating a sequence of actions or events. It is often used to connect two clauses in formal writing or speech, emphasizing the continuation from one action to another.

Strokes16Frequency#27753DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese literature and formal speeches, the use of 继而 reflects the importance of logical progression and continuity in thought. This mirrors the value placed on harmony and coherence in Chinese communication styles.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person on a journey who 'continues' (继) to the next stop (而). Picture this journey as a flowing path, where each destination naturally follows the previous one, making it easier to remember that 'then' is the essence of 继而.

Meanings of 继而

jì’ér(ji4er2)
1then
2afterwards
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 继而

继而Simplified
繼而Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 继而

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Podcast: 继而

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AI Study Notes for 继而

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 继而 with similar conjunctions like 然后 (rán hòu), which is more casual. 继而 is typically used in written or formal contexts, while 然后 can be used in everyday conversation. Ensure the tone matches the formality of your context.

HSK Study Tips

Though 继而 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with transitional phrases learned at higher levels. Focus on its usage in complex sentence structures to enhance fluency, as it can help articulate ideas more clearly.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 继而 in informal contexts, mistakenly saying something like '我去商店,继而买东西' instead of '我去商店,然后买东西'. Remember, 继而 is more suited for formal writing.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 继而

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Component Characters

继jìto continue
HSK 710 strokes纟
View full entry
而érand
HSK 46 strokes而
View full entry

How to say then in Chinese

“then” in Chinese is继而jì’ér

继而 (jì ér) means 'then' or 'afterwards', indicating a sequence of actions or events. It is often used to connect two clauses in formal writing or speech, emphasizing the continuation from one action to another.

When to use 继而

Be careful not to confuse 继而 with similar conjunctions like 然后 (rán hòu), which is more casual. 继而 is typically used in written or formal contexts, while 然后 can be used in everyday conversation. Ensure the tone matches the formality of your context.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 继而 in informal contexts, mistakenly saying something like '我去商店,继而买东西' instead of '我去商店,然后买东西'. Remember, 继而 is more suited for formal writing.

Write 继而

继
而

Practice writing 继而 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 继而

It is best used in formal writing or speeches rather than casual conversation, where simpler terms like 然后 are preferred.

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