The words that join clauses: even if, no matter, since, otherwise, unless, so as not to.
Practise this list
From these 40 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.
More about this list
Chinese conjunctions often come in pairs, one in each half of the sentence, where English uses a single word: 即使 wants 也 later on, 无论 and 不管 want 都, 既然 wants 就. The second word is an adverb and stands after the subject of its clause, not at the front. Several words here also come in a spoken and a written form — 不然 and 否则, 哪怕 and 即便 — and the list says which is which.
The words
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Adverb (3)
同样likewise; equallyAdverb4
这个方法对孩子有用，对成年人同样有用。This method works for children, and it works just as well for adults.
随后soon after; subsequentlyAdverb4
他先到了，他妻子随后也来了。He arrived first, and his wife came soon after.
只不过it's only that; merelyAdverb4
这没什么，只不过是一个小问题。It's nothing; it's just a small problem.
Preposition (1)
至于as for; as toPreposition4
我同意这个计划，至于什么时候开始，我们再商量。I agree with the plan; as for when to start, we can discuss that later.
Turns to a new point, often one left for later.
Conjunction (26)
即使even ifConjunction4
即使明天下雨，比赛也照常进行。Even if it rains tomorrow, the match will go ahead as usual.
Paired with 也; what follows it is only supposed.
无论no matter (what, how, who)Conjunction4
无论多忙，他每天都给父母打电话。No matter how busy he is, he phones his parents every day.
Followed by a question word or a choice, and paired with 都.
不管no matter; regardless ofConjunction4
不管天气怎么样，我们都要出发。Whatever the weather, we are setting off.
The spoken 无论.
既然since; now thatConjunction4
既然你已经决定了，我就不说什么了。Since you have already decided, I won't say anything more.
The reason is something both speakers already know; paired with 就.
否则otherwise; or elseConjunction4
我们得早点儿走，否则会迟到。We need to leave early, otherwise we'll be late.
More written than 不然.
不然otherwise; or elseConjunction4
多穿点儿衣服，不然会感冒的。Put on more clothes, or you'll catch a cold.
即便even if (written)Conjunction4
即便条件再差，他也从来不抱怨。However bad the conditions, he never complains.
The written 即使.
由于because of; owing toConjunction4
由于天气原因，航班推迟了。The flight was delayed because of the weather.
More written than 因为.
因此therefore; for this reasonConjunction4
他每天练习，因此进步很快。He practises every day, and so he is making quick progress.
尽管even though; althoughConjunction4
尽管很累，她还是把工作做完了。Although she was very tired, she still finished the work.
Unlike 即使, what follows 尽管 is a fact.
以及as well as; andConjunction4
会议讨论了预算、时间以及人员安排。The meeting discussed the budget, the timetable and the staffing.
Written; it joins the last item of a list.
并且and; moreoverConjunction4
她通过了面试，并且下周就开始上班。She passed the interview and starts work next week.
Joins verbs and clauses, not nouns.
不论no matter; regardless ofConjunction4
不论遇到什么困难，他都不放弃。Whatever difficulties he meets, he never gives up.
Close to 无论; also paired with 都.
除非unless; only ifConjunction4
除非你亲自去，否则他不会同意的。Unless you go in person, he will not agree.
一旦once; as soon as (something happens)Conjunction4
一旦发生火灾，要马上离开大楼。If a fire ever breaks out, leave the building at once.
哪怕even ifConjunction4
哪怕只有一点儿希望，我们也不会放弃。Even if there is only a little hope, we will not give up.
Spoken, and stronger than 即使.
一来…二来for one thing ... for anotherConjunction4
我不去了，一来太远，二来我也没时间。I'm not going: for one thing it's too far, and for another I haven't got time.
可见it can be seen (that); soConjunction4
他连饭都没吃就走了，可见事情很急。He left without even eating, so it must be urgent.
以至于so much so thatConjunction4
他看书看得太入迷，以至于坐过了站。He was so absorbed in his book that he missed his stop.
免得so as not to; lestConjunction4
出门前看一下天气，免得被雨淋。Check the weather before you go out so you don't get caught in the rain.
Spoken; the written form is 以免.
省得to save (the trouble of); so as to avoidConjunction4
你直接告诉他吧，省得他再来问。Just tell him directly; that will save him coming back to ask.
Colloquial.
因而thus; as a resultConjunction4
这里交通方便，因而房价比较高。Transport links here are good, and so property prices are fairly high.
Written.
相反on the contrary; the oppositeConjunction4
他没有生气，相反，还笑着安慰我。He wasn't angry; on the contrary, he smiled and comforted me.
与and; with (written)Conjunction4
这本书讲的是人与自然的关系。This book is about the relationship between people and nature.
The written 和; common in titles.
及and (formal)Conjunction4
本店出售茶叶及茶具。This shop sells tea and tea sets.
Very formal; on signs and in documents.
之所以the reason whyConjunction4
我之所以学中文，是因为喜欢中国电影。The reason I learn Chinese is that I like Chinese films.
Puts the result first and the cause second: 之所以 … 是因为 …
Phrase (9)
不管怎样anyway; whatever happensPhrase4
不管怎样，我都会支持你。Whatever happens, I'll support you.
无论如何in any case; at all costsPhrase4
明天的会你无论如何都要参加。You must come to tomorrow's meeting whatever happens.
为的是in order to; the reason beingPhrase4
他每天早起，为的是能多看一会儿书。He gets up early every day so that he can read a bit longer.
除此之外apart from this; besidesPhrase4
这家酒店离海边很近，除此之外还有免费早餐。This hotel is close to the sea, and besides that breakfast is free.
与此同时at the same time; meanwhilePhrase4
工资涨了，与此同时，房租也涨了。Wages have gone up, but at the same time so has the rent.
一般来说generally speakingPhrase4
一般来说，南方人爱吃米饭。Generally speaking, people in the south love rice.
由此可见from this it can be seenPhrase4
他三年没请过一天假，由此可见他有多认真。He hasn't taken a single day off in three years, which shows how conscientious he is.
Written; close to 可见.
也就是说that is to sayPhrase4
会议改到下周一，也就是说我们还有三天时间。The meeting has moved to next Monday, which means we still have three days.
