Usage of 且
The character 且 (qiě) is commonly used as a conjunction meaning "moreover" or "also," adding information or emphasizing an additional point. It often appears in formal or literary contexts to connect clauses smoothly.
Besides its conjunction use, 且 can function as an adverb indicating a temporary state or ongoing action, often paired with verbs to express "while doing something" or "in the process of." For example, 且走且看 means "walking while observing."
Common Collocations
- 且且: a stronger form of 且, meaning "moreover" or "furthermore," used to emphasize additional information.
- 且说: "moreover, regarding..." often used to introduce a new topic or add commentary.
- 且走且看: "while walking, observe" — used metaphorically to mean taking things step by step.
Notes
- 且 is more formal and literary than common conjunctions like 和 or 而且.
- It is often found in written Chinese, classical texts, or formal speech.
- Avoid confusing 且 with 也 or 还, which also mean "also" but differ in usage and tone.
Understanding 且 helps learners recognize nuanced connections and temporal expressions in advanced Chinese.