Conjunction: 及 (And — Formal)
连接词或词组：及
Use 及 as a formal conjunction to connect nouns or noun phrases in written Chinese
及 connects the last item in a list of nouns or noun phrases, functioning like "and" in formal English. In a list of three or more items, use Chinese comma (、) between earlier items and 及 before the final one.
及 only connects nouns and noun phrases — never clauses or sentences. For connecting clauses, use 以及 (which is slightly more flexible) or other conjunctions. 及其 (jí qí) means "and its/their" and is also common.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Conjunction: 及 (And — Formal) (连接词或词组：及)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 连接词或词组：及 pattern
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Understanding 连接词或词组：及
及 is a formal conjunction meaning "and," used exclusively to connect nouns or noun phrases in written Chinese. It is the elegant, literary cousin of 和. While 和 is the everyday "and" suitable for all contexts, 及 belongs to formal writing — reports, news articles, official documents, and academic papers. In a list of items, 及 typically appears before the last item: A、B 及 C. This is similar to the English convention of "A, B, and C." An important restriction: 及 can only connect nouns and noun phrases, never verbs, adjectives, or clauses. For those, you need different conjunctions. The related form 及其 means "and its/their" — as in 北京及其周边地区 (Beijing and its surrounding areas). Another extension is 以及, which is slightly less formal than 及 and can connect slightly larger phrases.
Key Points
- 及 (jí) = "and" — formal, written Chinese only.
- Connects nouns and noun phrases, NOT verbs, adjectives, or clauses.
- In lists: A、B 及 C — 及 comes before the final item.
- 及其 (jí qí) = "and its/their" — common in formal descriptions.
- 以及 (yǐjí) = "as well as" — slightly less formal, more flexible than 及.
- More formal than 和, less flexible — use only in written/formal contexts.
Chinese formal writing values conciseness and rhythm. Using 及 instead of 和 in lists gives prose a more polished, official tone. Government documents, laws, and news reports overwhelmingly prefer 及 over 和 for connecting nouns.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
工人、农民及士兵都参加了此次会议。
Workers, farmers, and soldiers all attended this meeting.
现急需煤炭、石油、电力及其他能源。
Coal, petroleum, electricity, and other energy sources are urgently needed.
本次展览展出了绘画、雕塑及摄影作品。
This exhibition features paintings, sculptures, and photography works.
北京及其周边地区将迎来降温。
Beijing and its surrounding areas will see a drop in temperature.
及其 = and its
公司的产品、服务及品牌形象都需要升级。
The company's products, services, and brand image all need upgrading.
请携带身份证、护照及相关证明材料。
Please bring your ID card, passport, and relevant supporting documents.
Common Mistakes
及 only connects nouns and noun phrases, never adjective phrases or clauses. Use 也 or 而且 for connecting descriptions.
In casual speech about hobbies, 和 is appropriate. 及 is too formal for everyday personal statements. Also, 游泳 and 跑步 here function as verb phrases, not pure nouns.
及 should only appear once — before the last item in a list. Use Chinese comma (、) for earlier items.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Rule of thumb: if you can replace it with "and" in a formal English document, 及 might work. If it sounds too stiff, use 和.
In lists of three or more: A、B、C 及 D — Chinese commas between items, 及 only before the last.
及其 is extremely useful in formal writing: 中国及其邻国 (China and its neighbors), 该项目及其成果 (the project and its outcomes).
Never use 及 to connect verbs or sentences — that is a very common mistake for learners.
Homework
Rewrite four casual sentences that use 和 by replacing them with 及 in a formal register. Then write three sentences using 及其 to describe an organization and its components.