Conjunctions: 或者、不过、但是、而且、如果、虽然、只要

Chinese grammar · HSK 2 · 连词 · By Carson 木林森 · Updated October 2026

HSK 2 conjunctions link clauses: 或者 (or), 不过 and 但是 (but), 而且 (moreover), 如果 (if), 虽然 (although) and 只要 (as long as). Several come in pairs, such as 虽然…但是…, where both halves appear in one sentence.

Paired connectors — both halves appear in ONE sentence:
- 虽然...但是... = although...(but)... — 虽然 opens the concessive clause, 但是 introduces the contrasting result.
- 如果... = if... — introduces a condition; the result clause follows directly.
- 只要... = as long as... — like 如果, but stresses that the condition is enough on its own.

Single connectors — link two clauses without a partner word:
- 不过 = but/however — softer and more casual than 但是. It does NOT pair with a preceding 虽然.
- 而且 = moreover/and also — adds an extra point building on the first statement.
- 或者 = or — offers alternatives in a STATEMENT (not a question).

Common mistake: pairing 虽然 with 不过 instead of 但是 — 虽然...但是... is the fixed pattern; 不过 stands on its own.

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.

或者 (huò zhě)

Offers a choice between two options in a statement.

Structure: A, 或者 B

Not: 你喝茶或者喝咖啡？ In a question use 还是; 或者 is for statements.

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 3, conjunctions (连接词或者短语).

或者 is also explained in: Choice Questions with 还是 (HSK 1).

不过 (bú guò)

Introduces a small turn against what was just said, softer than 但是.

Structure: Clause 1, 不过 + clause 2

Not: 不过这件衣服很贵，我买了。 不过 needs a first clause to turn against; here nothing comes before it.

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 4, conjunctions (连接分句或句子); level 7-9, fixed patterns.

不过 is also explained in: Concessive Compound: 虽然…但是/可是, 不过 (HSK 2).

但是 (dàn shì)

Introduces the clause that goes against the first one.

Structure: Clause 1, 但是 + clause 2

Not: 我但是很想去。 但是 starts its clause, before the subject.

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 2, conjunctions (连接分句或者句子); level 4, complex sentences (转折复句).

而且 (ér qiě)

Adds a further point that runs in the same direction as the first.

Structure: Clause 1, 而且 + clause 2

Not: 这件衣服很好看，而且太贵了。 而且 adds in the same direction; 太贵了 works against 好看, so use 不过.

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 3, conjunctions (连接分句或句子).

而且 is also explained in: 不但…而且…: not only…but also (HSK 4).

如果 (rú guǒ)

Opens a condition clause, meaning 'if', before the result.

Structure: 如果 + condition, result

Not: 如果天气好，但是我们去公园。 The result of a condition takes no 但是.

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 3, conjunctions (连接分句或句子).

虽然 (suī rán)

Admits a fact before a contrast arrives: 'although'.

Structure: 虽然 + clause 1, 但是/可是 + clause 2

Not: 但是虽然我很累，我还要工作。 虽然 opens the first clause and 但是 the second, never the other way round.

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 2, conjunctions (连接分句或者句子).

Produce this pattern without stopping to think about it. GraphChinese drills Conjunctions across 13 exercises and schedules the review that keeps it.

What you need first

Every topic in GraphChinese names its own prerequisites, and these are the grammar points this one is built on. If a sentence here will not parse, one of them is why.

• Conjunctions

What this opens up

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

• Causal Sentences
• Concessive Compound
• Conditional Sentences
• Progressive Compound Sentences

The same pattern at other levels

• Conjunctions — HSK 1

Questions about Conjunctions

What does 连词 (Conjunctions) mean in Chinese?

HSK 2 conjunctions link clauses: 或者 (or), 不过 and 但是 (but), 而且 (moreover), 如果 (if), 虽然 (although) and 只要 (as long as). Several come in pairs, such as 虽然…但是…, where both halves appear in one sentence. It is an HSK 2 grammar point.

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

你可以喝茶，或者喝水。 — Nǐ kě yǐ hē chá, huò zhě hē shuǐ. — You can drink tea, or drink water. 或者 offers alternatives in a statement, not a question.

What do you need to know before 连词 (Conjunctions)?

Conjunctions (HSK 1). This pattern is built out of them, so a sentence here that will not parse usually means one of them has not landed yet.

What does 连词 (Conjunctions) lead to?

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

Can I use 虽然 and 但是 together?

Yes, and that is the normal pair. 虽然 opens the first clause and 但是 or 可是 opens the second, as in 虽然他很小，但是他很聪明。

Should I use 或者 or 还是 for 'or'?

Use 或者 in statements and 还是 in questions. Compare 我喝茶或者咖啡 with 你喝茶还是咖啡？

Related guides: All 195 grammar points · HSK 2 grammar · How to pass HSK 2 · The HSK levels, explained