Grammar · 语法 yǔfǎ · Conjunction 连词 liáncí

而且

érqiě

Additive conjunction — "moreover, and furthermore, and what's more." Layers a second quality onto the first with escalating or reinforcing force.

字源 zìyuán Etymology — Two Conjunctions Joined
字源洞见 zìyuán dòngjiàn · Etymological Insight

而 ér is one of classical Chinese's workhorses — a versatile conjunction meaning "and, yet, while, and then." Its oracle-bone form depicts a beard hanging from a face: the beard as something that naturally follows from the chin, hence "that which follows from / proceeds from." In modern Chinese, 而 survives mainly in two-character connectives and formal writing.

且 qiě (in isolation: "also; moreover; even; for the time being") adds a sense of "on top of that" or "in addition." The oracle-bone form shows a stone altar or stepped platform — something elevated, placed above what was already there.

Joined as 而且, the two conjunctions reinforce each other: 而 provides the connection ("and what follows"), 且 adds the "moreover" weight. The compound is stronger than either alone — it signals escalation, not mere addition.

核心句型 héxīn jùxíng Core Patterns
句型 jùxíng · Basic Structure [Clause A]，而且 [Clause B] — B adds to or strengthens A
[Adj A]，而且 [Adj B] — two qualities, both present, B escalating
不但 [A]，而且 [B] — the most common formal paired pattern (see below)
而且 (simple addition) érqiě and; moreover; and on top of that
Conj 连词 liáncí
Links two clauses or adjective phrases where the second adds to or escalates the first. The key nuance: 而且 implies the second quality is at least as notable as the first — often more so. It is additive with a slight upward push.
她很聪明，而且非常努力。
Tā hěn cōngmíng, érqiě fēicháng nǔlì.
She is very smart, and moreover extremely hardworking.
这家餐厅的菜很好吃，而且价格也很合理。
Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài hěn hǎochī, érqiě jiàgé yě hěn hélǐ.
The food at this restaurant is delicious, and what's more, the prices are very reasonable.
他来了，而且带来了好消息。
Tā lái le, érqiě dài lái le hǎo xiāoxi.
He came, and furthermore brought good news.
语法 yǔfǎ · Position Note 而且 sits at the beginning of the second clause. It can follow a comma or appear at the start of a new sentence. A subject may optionally appear after 而且 (same subject usually omitted; different subject must appear): 他去了，而且她也去了.
不但…而且 bùdàn … érqiě Not Only … But Also — The Paired Construction
成对连词 chéngduì liáncí · Paired Connectives 不但 [A]，而且 [B] — not only A, but also B (standard)
不仅 [A]，而且 [B] — not merely A, but moreover B (slightly more formal)
不只 [A]，而且 [B] — not just A, but furthermore B (colloquial variant)
不但…而且 bùdàn … érqiě not only … but also
Conj 连词 liáncí
The single most productive construction for 而且. The 不但 sets up a partial statement that is immediately exceeded by 而且. What follows 而且 should be more remarkable, broader, or stronger than what followed 不但.
他不但会说中文，而且还会写毛笔字。
Tā bùdàn huì shuō Zhōngwén, érqiě hái huì xiě máobǐzì.
He not only speaks Chinese, but can also write Chinese calligraphy.
这次失败不但没有打倒他，而且让他变得更强。
Zhè cì shībài bùdàn méiyǒu dǎdǎo tā, érqiě ràng tā biàn dé gèng qiáng.
This failure not only didn't defeat him, but actually made him stronger.
不但他来了，而且他全家都来了。
Bùdàn tā lái le, érqiě tā quán jiā dōu lái le.
Not only did he come, but his whole family came too.
语法 yǔfǎ · Subject Position When the subject is the same in both clauses: 不但 comes after the subject (他不但…而且…). When different subjects: 不但 moves before the subject (不但他…而且她…). This subject-placement rule is tested on the HSK and in composition.
辨析 biànxī 而且 vs. 也 / 还 / 又
词 Cí 用法 Yòngfǎ 语气 Yǔqì 例句 Lìjù
而且 érqiě clause-connector; before the second clause additive + escalation; written & spoken 她聪明，而且努力。
She's smart, and furthermore hardworking.
也 yě adverb; before verb in second clause parallel addition; neutral; very spoken 她聪明，也很努力。
She's smart, and also hardworking.
还 hái adverb; before verb; implies "in addition to what was mentioned" continuation; "on top of this, there is more" 她聪明，还很努力。
She's smart — and on top of that, hardworking.
又 yòu adverb; repeated or simultaneous qualities parallel / simultaneous; often two adjectives 她又聪明又努力。
She is both smart and hardworking.
关键区别 · Key Distinction 而且 is a conjunction (connects clauses). 也/还/又 are adverbs (modify verbs/adjectives within a clause). This means: 而且 can start a new sentence; 也/还/又 cannot. In formal writing and the 不但…而且 pattern, 而且 is the natural choice. In quick spoken addition, 也 is more natural.
语域 yǔyù Register — Spoken vs. Written
语体分析 yǔtǐ fēnxī · Register Analysis

而且 belongs to both spoken and written registers, but its weight differs. In formal writing (essays, reports, speeches), 而且 and 不但…而且 are extremely common and carry real rhetorical force — escalation, emphasis, the second point landing harder than the first.

In spoken Mandarin, 而且 also appears naturally, but speakers frequently swap in 还 or 也 for more casual addition. The more formal the register, the more 而且 stands out as the right choice. In an HSK composition or a speech, reaching for 而且 instead of 也 immediately sounds more polished.

Note: in very formal or classical-influenced writing, you may encounter 而 alone (without 且) doing similar work — a single-character formal conjunction. This is not spoken Mandarin but appears in legal texts, official documents, and literary essays.

相邻词汇 xiānglín cíhuì Adjacent Vocabulary — Connectives & Cohesion
不但bùdànnot only (pairs with 而且) 不仅bùjǐnnot merely (formal pair for 而且) 还háialso; still; in addition 也yěalso; too (parallel) 又…又yòu … yòuboth … and … 甚至shènzhìeven; going so far as to 况且kuàngqiěmoreover; besides; what's more 并且bìngqiěand; also; additionally (formal) 加上jiāshàngin addition; plus; adding to this