Connecting Words: 和, 跟 & 还是
连接词
Connect nouns and offer choices
和 and 跟 connect nouns like "and." 还是 presents alternatives in a question and means "or."
和 and 跟 typically connect nouns, not clauses. For connecting clauses, Chinese uses different words. 还是 is only for questions — in statements, "or" is 或者 (huòzhě).
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Connecting Words: 和, 跟 & 还是 (连接词)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 连接词 pattern
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Understanding 连接词
Connecting ideas is fundamental to any language, and Chinese keeps it simple. Want to say "A and B"? Use 和 or 跟: 爸爸和妈妈 (dad and mom). Want to ask "A or B?" Use 还是: 你喝茶还是咖啡？(Do you drink tea or coffee?). The key thing to remember is that 和 connects nouns (not full sentences), and 还是 is only for questions. In English, "and" can join almost anything — nouns, verbs, sentences. But Chinese 和 is pickier: it mainly joins nouns and noun phrases. And while English uses "or" for both questions and statements, Chinese splits the job: 还是 handles questions, 或者 handles statements. Understanding these boundaries will save you from some very common mistakes.
Key Points
- 和 is the standard "and" for connecting nouns: 猫和狗 (cats and dogs).
- 跟 as a connector works the same as 和 but is more informal.
- 和/跟 connect nouns and noun phrases, not whole sentences or verbs.
- 还是 means "or" in questions only: 你是老师还是学生？ (Are you a teacher or a student?)
- In statements (not questions), "or" is 或者: 你可以喝茶或者咖啡 (You can drink tea or coffee).
- A 还是 question never uses 吗. The 还是 itself signals that it's a question offering choices.
- 和 can connect more than two items, but in Chinese, listing more than three items with 和 sounds awkward. Use commas and put 和 before the last item: 苹果、香蕉和橘子.
- Tricky: 还是 can also mean "still" or "after all" in statements — 还是你好 (you're still the best). Context tells you which meaning applies.
At restaurants, you'll constantly hear servers ask: 你要米饭还是面条？ (Do you want rice or noodles?). Getting comfortable with 还是 will make ordering food much smoother.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
爸爸跟妈妈都不在家。
Neither dad nor mom is home.
跟 + 都 for "both/neither"
你喝茶还是喝水？
Do you drink tea or water?
我和弟弟都喜欢游泳。
My younger brother and I both like swimming.
你是中国人还是日本人？
Are you Chinese or Japanese?
Choice question — no 吗 needed
桌子上有书和本子。
There are books and notebooks on the table.
苹果和香蕉都很好吃。
Apples and bananas are both delicious.
你坐地铁还是坐公交车？
Are you taking the subway or the bus?
Commuting — a daily choice question
这个周末你想看电影或者逛街？
This weekend do you want to watch a movie or go shopping?
Statement with "or" — uses 或者, not 还是
我需要买牛奶、鸡蛋和面包。
I need to buy milk, eggs, and bread.
Shopping list — 和 before the last item
你想在家吃还是出去吃？
Do you want to eat at home or go out to eat?
A classic dinnertime question between partners
Common Mistakes
和 connects nouns or noun phrases, not repeated verb phrases. Just list the objects.
还是 is for questions only. In a statement, use 或者 for "or."
A 还是 question doesn't need 吗. The 还是 itself marks it as a question.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Quick check: is it a question with two choices? Use 还是. Is it a statement or a list? Use 和.
和 is for nouns, not sentences. Don't try to connect two full clauses with 和 the way English uses "and."
When you use 和/跟 with 都, you're saying "both": 我和你都是学生 (you and I are both students).
Restaurant survival kit: 你要 A 还是 B？ — you'll hear this pattern dozens of times when eating out. Practice with real menu items!
Remember the "or" split: 还是 asks you to choose (question), 或者 gives you options (statement). Different moods, different words.
Homework
Write a restaurant dialogue where one person asks what the other wants using 还是 questions. Then list five pairs of things you like using 和. Example: 你喝咖啡还是茶？我喜欢猫和狗。