而

ér

Meaning

而 is a conjunction connecting two clauses. It has two main uses: 1. Coordination or comparison — “while”, “whereas”, “and”. 2. Contrast — “but”, “whereas”.

1. Coordination or comparison

A，而 B

“明(“Míng”)”字(zì)，左(zuǒ)边(biān)的(de)“日(“rì”)”意(yì)思(si)是(shì)太(tài)阳(yáng)，而(ér)右(yòu)边(biān)的(de)“月(“yuè”)”意(yì)思(si)是(shì)月(yuè)亮(liàng)。

In the character 明, the 日 on the left means “sun”, while the 月 on the right means “moon”.

结(Jié)婚(hūn)前(qián)，我(wǒ)们(men)都(dōu)要(yào)清(qīng)楚(chu)自(zì)己(jǐ)想(xiǎng)要(yào)的(de)是(shì)什(shén)么(me)，而(ér)不(bù)要(yào)被(bèi)别(bié)人(rén)对(duì)幸(xìng)福(fú)的(de)看(kàn)法(fǎ)影(yǐng)响(xiǎng)。

Before marrying, we should be clear about what we want, and not be influenced by other people's ideas of happiness.

2. Contrast

在(Zài)工(gōng)作(zuò)中(zhōng)遇(yù)到(dào)了(le)问(wèn)题(tí)，男(nán)人(rén)回(huí)到(dào)家(jiā)不(bù)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)跟(gēn)妻(qī)子(zi)说(shuō)，而(ér)女(nǚ)人(rén)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)跟(gēn)丈(zhàng)夫(fu)说(shuō)。

When problems come up at work, men don't like telling their wives at home, whereas women like telling their husbands.

有(Yǒu)些(xiē)人(rén)觉(jué)得(de)朋(péng)友(you)就(jiù)是(shì)能(néng)和(hé)自(zì)己(jǐ)一(yī)起(qǐ)快(kuài)乐(lè)的(de)人(rén)，而(ér)我(wǒ)的(de)理(lǐ)解(jiě)是(shì)：当(dāng)你(nǐ)遇(yù)到(dào)困(kùn)难(nan)的(de)时(shí)候(hou)，真(zhēn)正(zhèng)的(de)朋(péng)友(you)会(huì)站(zhàn)出(chū)来(lái)，及(jí)时(shí)给(gěi)你(nǐ)帮(bāng)助(zhù)。

Some think a friend is someone to share happiness with, whereas I believe a true friend steps forward and helps you in time when you meet difficulties.

而 vs. 却

男(Nán)人(rén)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)安(ān)静(jìng)，而(ér)女(nǚ)人(rén)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)聊(liáo)天(tiān)。

Men like peace and quiet, whereas women enjoy chatting.

他(Tā)很(hěn)年(nián)轻(qīng)，却(què)很(hěn)有(yǒu)经(jīng)验(yàn)。

He is very young, yet very experienced.

Quick comparison

而	却
connects two ideas	emphasises the contrast
while, whereas, and	yet, however, but
used for comparison or coordination	used for unexpected results

而 connects two related or contrasting ideas. 却 highlights an unexpected contrast or result.