Correct
与 vs 及 vs 以及
/ yú vs jí vs yǐjí /
Strokes
Definition
与, 及 and 以及, these three conjunctions all mean "and", but they differ in formality, usage, and emphasis. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
1. 与 (yǔ) – "And" (Formal, Literary, Often Paired)
Meaning & Usage:
- "And" (used in formal, written, or classical Chinese).
- Common in titles, proverbs, academic writing, and official documents.
- Often used to connect nouns of equal importance.
- Rarely used in spoken Chinese (sounds too literary).
- Sometimes used in fixed expressions (e.g., "与...有关" = "related to...").
Examples:
- Formal Writing:
- 科学与技术 (Science and technology)
- 战争与和平 (War and Peace – classic title)
- Fixed Phrases:
- 与…相同 (the same as...)
- 与…无关 (unrelated to...)
2. 及 (jí) – "And" (Limited, Formal, Often Implies Hierarchy)
Meaning & Usage:
- "And," "as well as" (more formal than 和 but less common than 以及).
- Often implies a slight hierarchy (the first item is more important).
- Used in written Chinese, especially in legal, academic, or official contexts.
- Cannot connect clauses or long phrases (only nouns/noun phrases).
- Sometimes means "reach" (e.g., "及格" = "pass a test").
Examples:
- Listing Items (with Hierarchy):
- 校长、老师及学生都参加了会议。 (The principal, teachers, and students attended the meeting.)
- 北京、上海及广州是中国的大城市。 (Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are major Chinese cities.)
- Fixed Phrases:
- 及时 (timely)
- 及格 (pass an exam)
3. 以及 (yǐjí) – "And" (Formal, Connects Longer Lists or Categories)
Meaning & Usage:
- "And," "as well as," "along with" (more formal than 和).
- Used to connect longer lists, categories, or clauses.
- Often separates different types of items (e.g., people vs. things, main vs. secondary items).
- Common in written reports, news articles, and formal speeches.
- More flexible than 及 (can connect longer phrases).
Examples:
- Listing Different Categories:
- 他喜欢音乐、电影，以及旅行。 (He likes music, movies, and traveling.)
- 会议讨论了经济、教育，以及环境保护的问题。 (The meeting discussed economics, education, and environmental protection.)
- Separating Main & Secondary Items:
- 主要嘉宾、媒体记者，以及工作人员都到场了。 (Key guests, reporters, and staff were all present.)
Key Differences Summary
| Word | Meaning | Usage Context | Emphasis | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 与 (yǔ) | "And" | Formal/literary, titles, fixed phrases | Neutral, equal pairing | 科学与艺术 (Science and art) |
| 及 (jí) | "And" | Formal writing, slight hierarchy | First item is more important | 校长及老师 (Principal and teachers) |
| 以及 (yǐjí) | "And" | Formal writing, longer lists | Separates categories | 音乐、电影，以及旅行 (Music, movies, and travel) |
When to Use Which?
- Use 与 in formal titles, classical phrases, or fixed expressions.
- Use 及 in official documents or when listing items with slight hierarchy.
- Use 以及 in formal writing when connecting longer lists or categories.
Example
与, 及 and 以及 are all conjunctions to connect juxtaposed subjects, objects, attributives, and adverbials.They have a rather literary flavour.
以及 is even more literary and formal than 及 and there is often a pause before 以及. For instance, in example ① one can say 商品的品质，以及价格，均一一标明.
1
Shāngpǐn
商品
de
的
pǐnzhì
品质
jí
及
(
yǐjí
以及
)
jiàgé
价格
,
jūn
均
yīyī
一一
biāomíng
标明
。
(
liánjiē
连接
zhǔyǔ
主语
)
The quality and prices are tagged clearly. (connecting subjects)
2
Jiāotōng
交通
bùmén
部门
zhèngzài
正在
jiǎnchá
检查
yùn
运
huò
货
chēliàng
车辆
de
的
zàizhòng
载重
qíngkuàng
情况
jí
及
(
yǐjí
以及
)
ānquán
安全
zhuāngzhì
装置
。
(
liánjiē
连接
bīnyǔ
宾语
)
The communication department is checking the load capacity of the load-carrying vehicles and their safety equipment. (connecting objects)
3
Zhè
这
jiàn
件
shì
事
yǐnqǐ
引起
le
了
lǎoshī
老师
jí
及
(
yǐjí
以及
)
tóngxué
同学
de
的
shēnqiè
深切
guānzhù
关注
。
(
liánjiē
连接
dìngyǔ
定语
)
The incident called the attention of teachers and students alike. (connecting attributives)
4
Zhèbǐ
这笔
qián
钱
duì
对
nǐ
你
jí
及
(
yǐjí
以及
)
duì
对
tā
她
dōu
都
hěn
很
zhòngyào
重要
。
(
liànjiē
链接
zhuàngyǔ
状语
)
This money is important to both you and her. (connecting adverbials)
与, 及 and 以及, the three words cannot connect sentences, but they can connect common adverbials or auxiliary verbs, or common objects or complements, or verbs or adjectives in the predicates.
1), In example ⑤, 以及 can also be used instead and it is more literary. If there are several elements juxtaposed, 及 or 以及 is placed before the last one.
2), In example ⑧, 以及 can be used to connect the disyllabic word 一切 because it is disyllabic itself.
2), In example ⑧, 以及 can be used to connect the disyllabic word 一切 because it is disyllabic itself.
5
Zhěnggè
整个
jiànzhù
建筑
,
shèjì
设计
yú
与
(
jí
及
)
zhuāngxiū
装修
dōu
都
shí
十
fēn
分
huálì
华丽
。
The design and its decoration of the building are both magnificent.
6
Tā
她
gǎndào
感到
jídù
极度
de
的
bùān
不安
yú
与
(
jí
及
)
jiāozào
焦躁
。
She felt very unrest and worried.
7
Tiānránqì
天然气
kěyǐ
可以
zhìzào
制造
féiliào
肥料
hé
和
rénzào
人造
shíyóu
石油
jí
及
qítā
其他
xǔduō
许多
huàgōng
化工
chǎnpǐn
产品
。
Fertilizer,artificial gasoline and many chemicals can be made from the natural gas.
8
Tā
他
shú
熟
jì
系
jiāxiāng
家乡
de
的
fēngtǔrénqíng
风土人情
、
shānshānshuǐshuǐ
山山水水
,
yǐjí
以及
qítā
其他
yīqiè
一切
de
的
yīqiè
一切
。
He is familiar with the customs, landscape, and others of his native place.
Mistake
❌ Wrong (spoken Chinese): 我与朋友去吃饭。 (Too formal, use 和 instead.)
✅ Correct: 我和朋友去吃饭。 (I went to eat with friends.)
❌ Wrong (connecting clauses): 他喜欢跑步及游泳。 (及 is too rigid for simple lists.)
✅ Better: 他喜欢跑步以及游泳。 (He likes running and swimming.)
❌ Wrong (equal items): 北京、上海，与广州 (与 sounds unnatural in lists.)
✅ Better: 北京、上海，以及广州 (Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.)