In Mandarin Chinese, conjunctions are super important. They help join words and phrases to make clear sentences. Learning some common conjunctions can really help you speak and write better. Let’s check out a few basic conjunctions and how to use them!

Common Conjunctions

1. 和 (hé) - This means "and." It connects nouns, phrases, or parts of sentences.

   • Example: 我喜欢苹果和香蕉。
     Wǒ xǐhuān pīngguǒ hé xiāngjiāo.
     (I like apples and bananas.)

2. 但 (dàn) - This means "but." It shows a different idea or feeling.

   • Example: 我喜欢咖啡，但我更喜欢茶。
     Wǒ xǐhuān kāfēi, dàn wǒ gèng xǐhuān chá.
     (I like coffee, but I prefer tea.)

3. 所以 (suǒyǐ) - This means "so." It shows a result or conclusion.

   • Example: 外面下雨了，所以我在家。
     Wàimiàn xià yǔ le, suǒyǐ wǒ zài jiā.
     (It is raining outside, so I am at home.)

4. 因为 (yīnwèi) - This means "because." It gives a reason for something.

   • Example: 我吃得很饱，因为我吃了很多饭。
     Wǒ chī dé hěn bǎo, yīnwèi wǒ chīle hěn duō fàn.
     (I am very full because I ate a lot of rice.)

Using Conjunctions in Sentences

In Mandarin, sentences usually go in this order: Subject-Verb-Object (SVO). When you add conjunctions, this order doesn’t change. For example:

• Subject + Verb + Object + 和/但 + Subject + Verb + Object
  • Example: 我喜欢猫，但我不喜欢狗。
    Wǒ xǐhuān māo, dàn wǒ bù xǐhuān gǒu.
    (I like cats, but I do not like dogs.)

Other Grammar Tips

Measure Words (量词)

In Mandarin, you must use measure words with nouns. When you connect subjects or objects with conjunctions, remember the right measure word.

• Example: 你有几本书和几支笔？
  Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū hé jǐ zhī bǐ?
  (How many books and pens do you have?)

Particles (的, 吗, 吧)

Adding particles can change how a sentence feels.

• Example: 你喜欢狗吗？我喜欢猫。
  Nǐ xǐhuān gǒu ma? Wǒ xǐhuān māo.
  (Do you like dogs? I like cats.)

Making Negative Sentences with 不 and 没（有）

When you want to say something is not true, use 不 for present tense and 没（有） for past tense.

• Example: 我不喜欢这个，但我喜欢那个。
  Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhège, dàn wǒ xǐhuān nàge.
  (I don't like this, but I like that.)

Practice with Simple Conjunctions

Try making sentences using different conjunctions:

• Using 和: 我有两只猫和一只狗。
  (I have two cats and one dog.)

• Using 但是: 今天天气很好，但是我没时间出去。
  (The weather is nice today, but I don’t have time to go out.)

• Using 所以: 他努力学习，所以考试得了好成绩。
  (He studies hard, so he got a good grade on the test.)

Asking Questions with Conjunctions

You can ask questions with many parts using conjunctions.

• Example: 你去哪里，和他一起去吗？
  Nǐ qù nǎlǐ, hé tā yīqǐ qù ma?
  (Where are you going? Are you going with him?)

By learning these conjunctions and using them with other grammar points, you'll get better at Mandarin Chinese. Practice forming sentences using the examples, and soon you will feel more confident connecting your ideas!