而 Stroke Order

Animated Stroke Order of 而

Stroke Order Diagrams for 而

Step-by-Step Handwriting Guide for 而

Standard stroke order for the Chinese character 而

Learn to Write Chinese Characters with Video Tutorials

Watch the video of writing the Chinese character "而", learn the correct stroke order (笔顺) of the character "而", and master the standard way of writing the character "而".

Free Printable Handwriting Practice with Stroke Order: 而

Printable Writing Practice Worksheet of "而" in Portrait Orientation (Tian Zi Ge)

Printable Handwriting Practice Worksheet of the Chinese character 而 in Portrait Orientation (Tian Zi Ge)

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Printable Writing Practice Worksheet of "而" in Landscape Orientation (Tian Zi Ge)

Printable Handwriting Practice Worksheet of the Chinese character 而 in Landscape Orientation (Tian Zi Ge)

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Information of 而

Pinyin ér

Radical

而

Strokes

6 strokes

Usage

★★★★★

Definition

and / as well as / but (not) / yet (not) / (shows causal relation) / (shows change of state) / (shows contrast)

而 ér (1) *Pronoun* - Anciently same as "尔", meaning you or your. - Examples: “而翁归，自与汝复算耳” (When the old man returns, I will recount it with you). (2) *Conjunction* - Functions as a connector for words, phrases, and clauses, indicating various relationships. a. Indicates a parallel relationship, e.g., “多而杂” (many and mixed). b. Indicates a continuative relationship, e.g., “取而代之” (to take over). c. Indicates a progressive relationship, e.g., “而且” (furthermore). d. Indicates a transitional relationship, e.g., “似是而非” (seemingly right but in fact wrong). e. Connects affirmation and negation, indicating mutual supplementation, e.g., “浓而不烈” (strong but not overwhelming). f. Connects adverbial modifiers and main words, e.g., “侃侃而谈” (speak eloquently). g. Inserts in between a subject and predicate to express hypotheticals, e.g., “人而无信，不知其可” (If a person is untrustworthy, it’s hard to say what is possible). (3) *Expresses range* (from... to...) - From top to bottom, e.g., “从上而下”. (4) *Noun* - The character is pictographic. It resembles the shape of a beard. The upper part means the tip of the nose, while the lower part represents jaw hair. The original meaning is bristles on the jaws. - “而，颊毛也。” (Er, refers to bristles on the jaws.) — from "说文". (5) *Illustrative examples of the conjunction* - "永州之野产异蛇，黑质而白章。" (In the fields of Yongzhou, there are strange snakes, black-bodied and white-marked.) — Liu Zongyuan, "捕蛇者说". - "君子博学而日参省乎己。" (A gentleman is well-read and constantly reflects on himself.) — from Xunzi, "劝学". - "青，取之于蓝，而青于蓝。" (The color blue comes from indigo, but it is bluer than indigo.) — from Xunzi, "劝学". - "吾恂恂而起。" (I rose with a careful manner.) — Liu Zongyuan, "捕蛇者说". (6) *As an auxiliary verb* - Indicates a relationship akin to “of” or “that”. - "虞之与虢，相恃而势。" (The states of Yu and Guo support each other in strength.) — from "淮南子·人间". (7) *As a rhetorical question* - Used in questions, equivalent to “how could” or “how is it possible”. - “为仁由己，而由人乎哉？” (Is it the kindness from oneself, or from others?) — from "论语·颜渊". (8) *As a verb* - To seem or appear. - “溺死者千有余人，军惊而坏都舍。” (Over a thousand people drowned in the Army's panic.) — from "吕氏春秋". 通“能”. 而 ér (1) *Noun* - Ability or talent. - "然计天下之所以治者，何也？唯而以尚同一义为政故也。" (What accounts for governance under heaven? It is precisely by advocating for the same principle in governance.) — from "墨子·尚同下". (2) *As a verb* - To be able to, can. - "不待我而有成事者也。" (There are those who achieve without needing me.) — from "商君书".

吾将上下而求索 wú jiāng shàng xià ér qiú suǒ

I will search up and down

反而 fǎn ér

instead / on the contrary / contrary (to expectations)

一哄而散 yī hòng ér sàn

see 一哄而散[yi1 hong1 er2 san4]

一哄而上 yì hōng ér shàng

Rush up

一哄而起 yī hōng ér qǐ

(of a group of people) to rush into action

不言而喻 bù yán ér yù

it goes without saying / it is self-evident

因而 yīn ér

therefore / as a result / thus / and as a result, ...

因而是 yīn ér shì

Thus

夺眶而出 duó kuàng ér chū

burst into tears / tears started from one's eyes

周而复始 zhōu ér fù shǐ

lit. the cycle comes back to the start (idiom); to move in circles / the wheel comes full circle

娓娓而谈 wěi wěi ér tán

talk familiarly on and on / talk volubly / talk effusively

望而却步 wàng ér què bù

to shrink back / to flinch

不寒而栗 bù hán ér lì

shiver all over though not cold / tremble with fear / shudder

而已 ér yǐ

that's all / nothing more

幸而 xìng ér

by good fortune / luckily

迎刃而解 yíng rèn ér jiě

lit. (bamboo) splits when it meets the knife's edge (idiom) / fig. easily solved

忽而 hū ér

suddenly / now (..., now...)

悬而未决 xuán ér wèi jué

pending a decision / hanging in the balance

慕名而来 mù míng ér lái

to come to a place on account of its reputation (idiom); attracted to visit a famous location

戛然而止 jiá rán ér zhǐ

with a grunting sound it stops (idiom); to come to an end spontaneously (esp. of sound)

扑面而来 pū miàn ér lái

lit. sth hits one in the face / directly in one's face / sth assaults the senses / blatant (advertising) / eye-catching / (a smell) assaults the nostrils

扬长而去 yáng cháng ér qù

to swagger off / to walk off (or drive off etc) without a second thought for those left behind

拂袖而去 fú xiù ér qù

to storm off in a huff (idiom)

拍案而起 pāi àn ér qǐ

lit. to slap the table and stand up (idiom); fig. at the end of one's tether / unable to take it any more

拔地而起 bá dì ér qǐ

rise straight from the ground / rising abruptly out of the ground

一拥而上 yī yōng ér shàng

to swarm around / flocking (to see)

蜂拥而至 fēng yōng ér zhì

come in great numbers

蜂拥而来 fēng yōng ér lái

pour in / come swarming / swarm forward

择善而从 zé shàn ér cóng

to choose the right course and follow it (idiom)

拾级而上 shè jí ér shàng

to walk slowly up a flight of steps (idiom)