Conjunctions: 和/跟 and Parallel Clauses

Chinese grammar · HSK 1 · 连词 · By Carson 木林森 · Updated October 2026

和 (hé) and 跟 (gēn) both mean 'and' when they join two nouns or pronouns, as in 书和笔. They cannot join two verb phrases, so two actions are linked with a comma and 也 instead.

• 和 — written/formal, connects nouns: 书和笔 (book and pen)
• 跟 — spoken, often used with people: 我跟你 (you and I)

Pattern: Noun1 + 和/跟 + Noun2

For parallel clauses (two actions), use comma or 也:
✅ 他学英语，也学汉语。(He studies English and also Chinese.)

Do NOT use 和 to connect two verb phrases:
❌ 我吃饭和喝茶。(unnatural)
✅ 我吃饭，也喝茶。

Worked examples

Word by word

Each word in this pattern on its own: what it does here, the structure, three more examples, and the mistake to avoid.

和 (hé)

Joins two nouns or pronouns into one phrase, like 'and'; it sounds a little more written than 跟.

Structure: Noun + 和 + Noun

Not: 我吃饭和喝茶。 和 joins nouns only; to link two actions use a comma and 也, as in 我吃饭，也喝茶。

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 1, conjunctions (连接词语或短语); level 1, prepositions (引出对象).

跟 (gēn)

Spoken word for 'and' between people or nouns, and also 'with' a person.

Structure: Noun + 跟 + Noun

Not: 我们喝茶跟吃饭。 跟 is like 和: it joins nouns, not two verb phrases.

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 2, conjunctions (连接词或短语); level 2, prepositions (引出对象).

跟 is also explained in: 跟/和…一样/不一样: same as/different from (HSK 4).

Compared side by side: 和 vs 跟.

Produce this pattern without stopping to think about it. GraphChinese drills Conjunctions across 12 exercises and schedules the review that keeps it.

What this opens up

These patterns list Conjunctions among their own prerequisites, so they become readable once this one holds.

• Causal Sentences
• Sequential Compound Sentences

The same pattern at other levels

• Conjunctions — HSK 2

Questions about Conjunctions

What does 连词 (Conjunctions) mean in Chinese?

和 (hé) and 跟 (gēn) both mean 'and' when they join two nouns or pronouns, as in 书和笔. They cannot join two verb phrases, so two actions are linked with a comma and 也 instead. It is an HSK 1 grammar point.

How do you use 连词 (Conjunctions) in a sentence?

我和我的朋友去学校。 — Wǒ hé wǒ de péng yǒu qù xué xiào. — My friend and I go to school. 和 connects two nouns (我 and 我的朋友).

Where does 连词 (Conjunctions) come in the HSK sequence?

HSK 1, and none of its prerequisites are grammar points — nothing else on this reference has to come first, so you can start here.

What does 连词 (Conjunctions) lead to?

Causal Sentences (HSK 2), Sequential Compound Sentences (HSK 2). Each of them names 连词 (Conjunctions) among its own prerequisites.

Can I use 和 to join two verbs or two sentences in Chinese?

No. 和 only joins nouns and pronouns. For two actions, say them one after another and add 也, for example 他学英语，也学汉语。

What is the difference between 和 and 跟?

Both mean 'and' between nouns. 和 is a little more formal; 跟 is more spoken and also means 'with', as in 我跟你去。

Related guides: All 195 grammar points · HSK 1 grammar · How to pass HSK 1 · The HSK levels, explained