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March 24, 2026
接着(接著)jiēzhe(jie1zhe5)
接着 (jiēzhe) means to continue or to follow on from something previously mentioned. It is commonly used in conversations to indicate a transition from one action or event to another, often in storytelling or explanations, signifying a sequence of events.
Frequency#1330DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese storytelling, transitions between events are crucial for clarity and flow, making 接着 an essential word in both spoken and written narratives. Its use reflects the importance of continuity in Chinese communication.
Memory Tip
Imagine catching a ball (接) and holding on to it (着) as you continue playing. The visual of catching and moving forward helps connect the action of 'continuing' in the context of events or actions.
Meanings of 接着
jiēzhe(jie1zhe5)
1to catch and hold on
2to continue
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 接着
接着Simplified
接著Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#1330Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 接着
Podcast: 接着
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AI Study Notes for 接着
Quick Contrast
继续 (jìxù) vs 接着 (jiēzhe): use 继续 when emphasizing the continuation of an action without interruption, while 接着 focuses on the sequence of events that follow.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine catching a ball (接) and holding on to it (着) as you continue playing. The visual of catching and moving forward helps connect the action of 'continuing' in the context of events or actions.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 接着 with similar phrases like 然后 (ránhòu), which also means 'then' but is less about continuity. It's important to use 接着 when indicating a direct follow-up or continuation of an action. Register is generally informal, suitable for everyday conversation.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 接着 connects with other transition words like 然后 and 之后 (zhīhòu). Focus on using it to describe sequences in stories or procedures, which will enhance your fluency in narrative contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese storytelling, transitions between events are crucial for clarity and flow, making 接着 an essential word in both spoken and written narratives. Its use reflects the importance of continuity in Chinese communication.
Common Mistakes
A typical mistake is using 接着 when listing actions that are not directly sequential, such as saying '我昨天接着去了商店，今天去公园。' (I went to the store yesterday, then went to the park today.), which should be corrected to use 然后. Another error is omitting the context, as in '接着，我…' without a preceding statement.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 接着
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Grammar Patterns of 接着
接着 functions as a conjunction — it connects clauses or phrases. Many Chinese conjunctions come in pairs (虽然…但是…, 因为…所以…); use them at the front of the clauses they link. It carries 12 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
"Hey, Judith," he resumed, "tell me all about yourself."
9
他接着告诉丹去计算机房该怎么走。
tā jiē zháo gào sù dān qù jì suàn jī fáng gāi zěn mó zǒu。
He proceeded to give Dan directions to the computer room.
10
她看看我，接着伸手去包里拿香烟。
tā kàn kàn wǒ， ， jiē zháo shēn shǒu qù bāo lǐ ná xiāng。
She looked at me and then reached in her purse for cigarettes.
Cultural Notes for 接着
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese storytelling, transitions between events are crucial for clarity and flow, making 接着 an essential word in both spoken and written narratives. Its use reflects the importance of continuity in Chinese communication.
Frequently Asked Questions about 接着
Yes, 接着 can be used to start a sentence to indicate what happens next, such as '接着，我去了超市。' (Then, I went to the supermarket.)
Not exactly. While both mean 'to continue,' 接着 emphasizes the sequence of events following a prior action, whereas 继续 focuses more on the continuation of an ongoing action.
接着 implies a closer connection to the previous action, while 然后 is more general. Use 接着 when the next event directly follows the previous one.
