11 Relationships That Make Your Chinese Flow Naturally
Chinese connector patterns help you connect ideas and build longer, clearer sentences.
Instead of memorizing a long list, learn them by relationship:
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parallel ideas;
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additional information;
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choices;
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contrast;
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causes and results;
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conditions;
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hypothetical situations;
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sequence;
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change;
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emphasis;
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inclusion and exceptions.
Some items in this guide are strict paired connectors. Others are common sentence patterns that express similar relationships.
Learn one group at a time. There is no need to memorize everything today. 🌱
1. Parallel Relationships
并列关系 Bìngliè guānxì
These structures show that actions, qualities or situations appear together, alternate or apply to different members of a group.
一边……一边……
Use 一边……一边…… when two actions happen at the same time. The two actions usually have the same subject.
她一边听音乐，一边做饭。
She cooks while listening to music.
In conversation, the shorter form 边……边…… is also common:
他边走边打电话。
He talks on the phone while walking.
又……又……
Use 又……又…… when two qualities or actions are both true.
这个地方又安静又漂亮。
This place is both quiet and beautiful.
既……又…… / 既……也……
These two patterns also mean “both…and…”. They often sound slightly more formal than 又……又…….
他既认真又有耐心。
He is both serious and patient.
她既会说中文，也会说日语。
She can speak both Chinese and Japanese.
一方面……另一方面……
Use 一方面……另一方面…… to present two sides of the same situation.
一方面我很想去留学，另一方面我又担心费用太高。
On the one hand, I really want to study abroad; on the other hand, I am worried about the cost.
有时……有时……
Use 有时……有时…… when different things happen at different times.
我有时坐地铁，有时骑自行车。
Sometimes I take the subway, and sometimes I ride a bicycle.
一会儿……一会儿……
Use 一会儿……一会儿…… when a situation changes or alternates within a short period.
天一会儿晴，一会儿下雨。
One moment it is sunny, and the next it is raining.
有的……有的……
Use 有的……有的…… to describe different members of a group.
有的学生喜欢读书，有的学生喜欢看视频。
Some students like reading, while others prefer watching videos.
也……也……
Repeating 也 can connect two similar actions or situations. It is a flexible sentence pattern rather than a strict fixed pair.
他也想学中文，也想去中国旅行。
He wants to learn Chinese and also travel to China.
2. Progressive Relationships
递进关系 Dìjìn guānxì
These patterns add information. The second part often introduces another important or stronger point.
不但／不仅……而且／还／也……
不但 and 不仅 both mean “not only”.
The second part may use 而且、还 or 也, but their tone is slightly different:
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而且
makes the progression clear and can sound more formal;
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还
is very common in conversation;
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也
sounds neutral and often highlights a parallel additional fact.
她不但会说中文，而且能用中文工作。
She can not only speak Chinese but also use it at work.
这个办法不仅简单，还很有效。
This method is not only simple but also effective.
老师不但教我们语法，也教我们发音。
The teacher teaches us not only grammar but also pronunciation.
Common combinations include:
- 不但……而且……
- 不但……还……
- 不但……也……
- 不仅……而且……
- 不仅……还……
- 不仅……也……
连……都…… / 连……也……
Use 连……都／也…… to include an unexpected or extreme example.
这道题太难了，连老师都需要想一想。
This question is so difficult that even the teacher needs time to think.
这么简单的问题，连他也答错了。
Even he answered such a simple question incorrectly.
💡 This pattern expresses both inclusion and emphasis.
3. Choice Relationships
选择关系 Xuǎnzé guānxì
These patterns present two or more choices or possibilities.
是……还是……
Use 是……还是…… to ask someone to choose.
你是坐地铁，还是坐公交车？
Are you taking the subway or the bus?
或者……或者……
Use 或者……或者…… mainly in statements.
周末我们或者去爬山，或者在家休息。
This weekend, we will either go hiking or stay home and rest.
Quick Tip
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还是
is commonly used in questions.
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或者
is commonly used in statements.
不是……就是……
Use 不是……就是…… when one of two possibilities is likely to be true.
他现在不是在办公室，就是在会议室。
He is either in the office or in the meeting room.
4. Contrast and Correction
转折与纠正 Zhuǎnzhé yǔ jiūzhèng
虽然……但是／可是／不过／却……
These patterns introduce a fact followed by an unexpected or contrasting result.
虽然今天很冷，但是他没有穿外套。
Although it is cold today, he is not wearing a coat.
虽然价格有点高，不过质量很好。
Although the price is a little high, the quality is very good.
虽然她很紧张，却表现得非常自然。
Although she was nervous, she performed very naturally.
但是、可是 and 不过 introduce contrast.
却 often makes the unexpected contrast feel stronger.
💡 Chinese can use 虽然 and 但是 in the same sentence. Standard English normally uses either “although” or “but”, not both.
尽管……但是／可是／却……
尽管…… has a similar meaning to 虽然……, but it can sound slightly more formal or emphatic.
尽管大家都反对，但是他没有改变决定。
Although everyone opposed the idea, he did not change his decision.
尽管下着大雨，他却按时到了。
Although it was raining heavily, he arrived on time.
不是……而是……
Use 不是……而是…… to reject incorrect information and provide the correct explanation.
他不是不想去，而是今天没有时间。
It is not that he does not want to go; he simply does not have time today.
5. Cause and Result
因果关系 Yīnguǒ guānxì
因为……所以……
Use 因为……所以…… to connect a reason with its result.
因为路上堵车，所以我迟到了。
I was late because there was a traffic jam.
💡 Chinese can use 因为 and 所以 together. Standard English normally uses either “because” or “so”, not both.
由于……所以……
由于……所以…… also introduces a reason and a result, but 由于 is more common in formal or written Chinese.
由于天气不好，所以航班取消了。
The flight was cancelled because of the bad weather.
In formal writing, 所以 may be omitted or replaced by 因此:
由于天气不好，航班取消了。
The flight was cancelled due to the bad weather.
……，于是……
于是 introduces a result or the next action caused by the previous situation.
外面突然下起了大雨，于是比赛暂停了。
It suddenly began to rain heavily, so the match was suspended.
⚠️ 因为……于是…… is not normally taught as a fixed pair.
Use:
- 因为……所以……
- Situation + 于是……
……，结果……
结果 introduces the final outcome. It often, but not always, suggests that the outcome was unexpected.
我出门前没有看地图，结果走错了路。
I did not check the map before leaving, so I ended up going the wrong way.
6. Condition Relationships
条件关系 Tiáojiàn guānxì
只要……就……
只要……就…… introduces a sufficient condition.
A is enough for B to happen.
只要每天练习，你的中文就会进步。
As long as you practise every day, your Chinese will improve.
只有……才……
只有……才…… introduces a necessary condition.
B can happen only if A is true.
只有认真准备，你才能通过考试。
Only by preparing carefully can you pass the exam.
Remember the Difference
只要A，就B
A is enough for B.
只有A，才B
A is necessary for B.
无论……都／也……
The most common pattern is 无论……都…….
无论你去哪里，我都支持你。
No matter where you go, I will support you.
无论……也…… is also possible when 也 emphasizes that the result remains unchanged.
无论多困难，他也不会放弃。
No matter how difficult it is, he will not give up.
不管……都／也……
不管…… is generally more conversational than 无论…….
不管谁来，我都不会改变决定。
No matter who comes, I will not change my decision.
不管多晚，我也会等你。
No matter how late it gets, I will still wait for you.
7. Hypothetical Relationships
假设关系 Jiǎshè guānxì
如果……就／那么／那么就……
These are different versions of the general “if…then…” pattern.
如果明天不下雨，我们就去爬山。
If it does not rain tomorrow, we will go hiking.
如果你有问题，那么请告诉我。
If you have any questions, please tell me.
如果你已经决定了，那么就开始吧。
If you have already decided, then get started.
In everyday conversation, 那么 is often omitted.
要是……就……
要是……就…… has almost the same meaning as 如果……就……, but it sounds more conversational.
要是你有时间，就来找我吧。
If you have time, come and see me.
即使……也……
即使……也…… means “even if…still…”. The imagined condition does not change the result.
即使明天下雨，我们也要按计划出发。
Even if it rains tomorrow, we will still leave as planned.
8. Sequence and Order
顺承和先后关系 Shùnchéng hé xiānhòu guānxì
先……然后……
Use 先……然后…… to describe two actions in order.
我们先吃饭，然后去看电影。
We will eat first and then go to see a film.
先……再……
先……再…… is especially common when giving instructions or talking about future actions.
你先看问题，再读文章。
Read the questions first, and then read the passage.
一……就……
一……就…… shows that the second action happens immediately after the first.
我一到家就给你打电话。
I will call you as soon as I get home.
首先……然后……
Use 首先……然后…… to organise steps clearly.
首先打开电脑，然后登录你的账户。
First, turn on the computer. Then log in to your account.
首先……其次……最后……
Use this pattern when presenting three or more points in a clear order.
首先，我们要确定目标；其次，我们要制订计划；最后，我们要开始行动。
First, we need to set a goal. Second, we need to make a plan. Finally, we need to take action.
9. Change and Degree
变化和程度 Biànhuà hé chéngdù
These are common sentence patterns rather than strict paired conjunctions.
越……越……
越……越…… means “the more…the more…”.
你越练习，说得越自然。
The more you practise, the more naturally you speak.
越来越……
越来越…… describes a continuing change over time.
天气越来越冷了。
The weather is getting colder and colder.
越……越不／没……
The second part can describe an increasingly negative situation.
我越想越不明白。
The more I think about it, the less I understand it.
他等得越久，越没耐心。
The longer he waits, the less patient he becomes.
10. Emphasis and Complete Negation
强调和完全否定 Qiángdiào hé wánquán fǒudìng
一……也不……
Use 一……也不…… to mean “not even one” or “not at all”.
我今天一杯咖啡也不想喝。
I do not want to drink even one cup of coffee today.
一……也没……
Use 一……也没…… for an action that did not happen.
他昨天一杯咖啡也没喝。
He did not drink a single cup of coffee yesterday.
💡 不 commonly describes habits, opinions, present situations or future actions.
没 commonly describes actions that did not happen.
一点儿也不…… / 一点儿也没……
These patterns mean “not at all”.
我一点儿也不紧张。
I am not nervous at all.
老师刚才说的话，我一点儿也没听懂。
I did not understand anything the teacher just said.
什么／谁／哪儿……都……
A question word followed by 都 can mean “everything”, “everyone” or “everywhere”.
When 不 or 没 appears, it can express complete negation.
我什么都没买。
I did not buy anything.
谁都可以参加。
Anyone can take part.
他今天哪儿都不想去。
He does not want to go anywhere today.
⚠️ These patterns do not always express negation. The meaning depends on the rest of the sentence.
11. Addition, Range and Exceptions
补充、范围和排除 Bǔchōng, fànwéi hé páichú
除了……以外，还……
Use this pattern to add another item: “besides A, also B”.
除了汉语以外，我还在学日语。
Besides Chinese, I am also learning Japanese.
除了……以外，也……
This pattern also adds information. 也 is neutral, while 还 often emphasizes an additional item.
除了中文以外，他也学过法语。
Besides Chinese, he has also studied French.
除了……以外，都……
Use this pattern to exclude one person, thing or situation from a larger group.
除了周日以外，我每天都上课。
I have classes every day except Sunday.
除了……以外，其他……
Use 其他 to refer directly to the remaining people or things.
除了这本书以外，其他书都可以借。
Except for this book, all the other books can be borrowed.
Final Learning Tip
Do not treat this guide as one long vocabulary list.
Choose one relationship at a time. Learn two or three patterns, make your own examples and use them in real conversations.
Chinese connectors are not only test points. They help your ideas sound clearer, longer and more natural. 😊
This is an independent learning guide and is not an official HSK publication.