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而

Mandarin · pinyin ér

Meanings

  1. and
  2. as well as
  3. and so
  4. but (not)
  5. yet (not)
  6. (indicates causal relation)
  7. (indicates change of state)
  8. (indicates contrast)
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Characters in this entry

而
ér · and; and then; and yet; but; Kangxi radical 126
Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

2 · er2

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1character link19same-tone records
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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

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Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 9 senses · 2 Cantonese readings

Rime Cantonese 粵拼

ji4 · nang4

Cantonese word readings for 而. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.

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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

character · Etymology 1

  1. and (used to connect two clauses or adjectives)
  2. then (connecting two verbs or verb-phrases); and
  3. and yet; but; nevertheless (conjunction indicating concession or contrast)
  4. to (often used with 自)
  5. particle between adverbial element and verb to indicate cause, purpose, or manner
  6. particle between adverbial element and verb to indicate cause, purpose, or manner — particle between two verbs or verb phrases indicating that the first is used adverbially
  7. modal particle indicating hypothetical condition
  8. modal particle indicating tendency or immediate action

character · Etymology 2

  1. (literary) you; your

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

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