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且 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
qiěandHSK 7, zg, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #3340, Hard
qiěmoreoverHSK 7, zg, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #3340, Hard
qiěyetHSK 7, zg, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #3340, Hard
qiěfor the time beingHSK 7, zg, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #3340, Hard
qiěto be about toHSK 7, zg, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #3340, Hard
qiěboth (... and...)HSK 7, zg, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #3340, Hard
qiěmoreover, also (post-subject); about to, will soon (pre-verb)HSK 7, zg, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #3340, Hard
qiě(qie3) T3
  1. 1and
  2. 2moreover
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
qiě(qie3)

The character 且 (qiě) serves multiple purposes in Mandarin, primarily functioning as a conjunction meaning 'and' or 'moreover'. It can also imply a sense of 'for the time being' or 'about to', making it versatile in various contexts such as connecting ideas or indicating future actions.

Strokes5RadicalFrequency#3340DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese literature and poetry, the use of conjunctions like 且 enhances the flow and rhythm of the text, reflecting the importance of balance and harmony in Chinese aesthetics.

Memory Tip

Think of 且 (qiě) as two 'and' signs stacked on top of each other, representing the idea of 'both... and...' or 'moreover'. Picture a person holding two items, signifying the connection between them, which aids in remembering its meaning while also using the 'qi' sound to connect with 'qiě'.

Meanings of 且

qiě(qie3)
1and
2moreover
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 且

Simplified
5Strokes
Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#3340Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 且

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AI Study Notes for 且

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 且 (qiě) as two 'and' signs stacked on top of each other, representing the idea of 'both... and...' or 'moreover'. Picture a person holding two items, signifying the connection between them, which aids in remembering its meaning while also using the 'qi' sound to connect with 'qiě'.

Usage Notes

Use 且 in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of its placement in sentences. A common mistake is to use it interchangeably with '和' (hé), which is more straightforward. Remember that 且 often precedes a verb when conveying the meaning of 'about to'.

HSK Study Tips

While 且 is not part of the HSK levels, it can be encountered in advanced reading materials. Students should focus on understanding its multiple meanings and practicing its use in complex sentences, which often appear in HSK Level 5 and above texts.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese literature and poetry, the use of conjunctions like 且 enhances the flow and rhythm of the text, reflecting the importance of balance and harmony in Chinese aesthetics.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 且 with 和 (hé), mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我且喜欢苹果和香蕉' (I both like apples and bananas) is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢苹果和香蕉'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 且

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Etymology of 且

Formation TypePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Originally a pictograph of a sacrificial altar. The current meaning "moreover" is a phonetic loan.

Memory Hint

A stone altar

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 且?

Decomposition of 且

IDS Structure⿱月一
Full Character
=
yue4
top
yi1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 且?

Write 且

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 且

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

她不但会说中文,而____说得很好。

She not only speaks Chinese, but speaks it very well.

Common Confusions with 且

vs

Similar sound but different meanings and usages.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "and"?

or

Usage Notes for 且

Usage in Compound SentencesGrammar Tip

且 is often used to connect clauses in compound sentences, indicating addition or contrast.

1

他喜欢唱歌且喜欢跳舞。

He likes singing and dancing.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

他喜欢唱歌____喜欢跳舞。

He likes singing and dancing.

Example Sentences for 且 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我觉得她不但长得非常漂亮,而且还有很多优秀品质。

wǒ jué dé tā bù dàn cháng dé fēi cháng piāo liàng, , ér qiě huán yǒu hěn duō yōu xiù pǐn。

I think she has many good qualities besides being very beautiful.
2
我工作非常有效率,处事果断,而且判断准确。

wǒ gōng zuò fēi cháng yǒu xiào shuài, , chǔ shì guǒ, duàn , ér qiě pàn duàn。

I work very efficiently and am decisive, and accurate in my judgement.
3
我破产了,莉薇,而且我欠了几百万美元的债。

wǒ pò chǎn le, , lì, wēi , ér qiě wǒ qiàn le jī bǎi wàn měi yuán。

I'm broke, Livy, and I owe a couple of million dollars.
4
士兵们征用首都的车辆,并且占领了电视台。

shì bīng mén zhēng yòng shǒu dū de chē liàng, , bìng qiě zhān lǐng le diàn shì。

The soldiers commandeered vehicles in the capital and occupied the television station.
5
他对国际事务缺乏经验且无知,这很让我吃惊。

tā duì guó jì shì wù quē fá jīng yàn qiě wú zhī, , zhè hěn ràng wǒ chī。

I was alarmed by his naivety and ignorance of international affairs.
6
这张专辑真棒,新颖、有趣且富于变化。

zhè zhāng zhuān jí zhēn bàng, , xīn、 yǐng 、 yǒu qù qiě fù yú。

This is a fabulous album. It's fresh, varied, fun.
7
一场暴风雨致使公路隐患重重且电力瘫痪。

yī cháng bào fēng yǔ zhì shǐ gōng lù yǐn huàn zhòng zhòng qiě diàn lì tān huàn。

A storm has made roads treacherous and knocked out power.
8
这个展览是一次不但令人愉快,而且还鼓舞人心的体验。

zhè gè zhǎn lǎn shì yī cì bù dàn líng rén yú kuài, , ér qiě huán gǔ wǔ rén xīn de tǐ。

The exhibition is an enjoyable and, ultimately, life-affirming experience.
9
他总是渴望拥有新的经历,而且永远愿意尝试。

tā zǒng shì kě wàng yōng yǒu xīn de jīng lì, , ér qiě yǒng yuǎn yuàn yì cháng。

He is always eager for new experiences and ever-willing to experiment.
10
他不仅给这一工作带来了不少经验,而且倾注了极大的热情。

tā bù jǐn gěi zhè yī gōng zuò dài lái le bù shǎo jīng yàn, , ér qiě qīng zhù le jí dà de rè。

He brought to the job not just considerable experience but passionate enthusiasm.

Cultural Notes for 且

💡Did you know?

The character '且' is derived from the image of a stone altar in ancient China, symbolizing stability and permanence. This reflects its use in language to denote continuity and connection.

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese literature and poetry, the use of conjunctions like 且 enhances the flow and rhythm of the text, reflecting the importance of balance and harmony in Chinese aesthetics.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

'且' can be compared to the English words 'and' or 'moreover', which also serve to connect thoughts. However, in Chinese, its usage often emphasizes a strong continuation of ideas, adding depth to the conversation.

Word Family of 且

Compounds57
zhu4to help
jie3older sister
Zu3surname Zu
zu3to hinder
zu1to hire
Zu3surname Zu
cu1coarse
Yi2surname Yi
zu3to curse; to pledge, to swear
ju3to destroy
ju1monkey, ape; to spy, to watch for; to lie in ambush
gua3widowed; friendless, alone
xian4county
die2variant of 疊
ju1ulcer, carbuncle, abscess
qu1maggot
ju3to chew
zu3chopping board or block; painted
ju3irregular teeth; discord
ju1weak, lame
cu2dead; to die
Ju1hemp; sack-cloth
cu2to advance, to go; to; die
xin4split, quarrel, dispute; blood sacrifice
ju1osprey, fish hawk; to hold back
zang3excellent horse, noble steed
yi2suitable, right, proper
zu3to form, to assemble; section, department
cuo2stripes, spots, blotches
zu3to curse; to pledge, to swear
ju3irregular teeth; discord
Words Containing This Character20
而且érqiěmoreover
并且bìngqiěand並且
qiěand
况且kuàngqiěmoreover況且
暂且zànqiěfor now暫且
且慢to wait a moment
尚且shàngqiěyet
姑且gūqiětentatively
得过且过without high ambitions, but getting by得過且過
且说thus且說
且不说not to mention且不說
苟且perfunctory
得饶人处且饶人where it is possible to let people off, one should spare them (idiom); anyone can make mistakes, forgive them when possible得饒人處且饒人
权且temporarily權且
苟且偷生to drift and live without purpose (idiom); to drag out an ignoble existence
且听下回分解to listen to the next chapter for an explanation且聽下回分解
且末Cherchen nahiyisi or Qiemo county in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang 巴音郭楞蒙古自治州[Bā​yīn​guō​léng​Měng​gǔ​Zì​zhì​zhōu], Xinjiang
且末县Cherchen nahiyisi or Qiemo county in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang 巴音郭楞蒙古自治州[Bā​yīn​guō​léng​Měng​gǔ​Zì​zhì​zhōu], Xinjiang且末縣
亦且in addition
苟且偷安taking things easily without attending to responsibilities
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 助 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 且

且 (qiě) can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more commonly found in written or literary Chinese. In spoken language, people might opt for simpler conjunctions like 和 (hé) for 'and'. However, understanding it is important for advanced learners as it appears in various texts.