“并” as Conjunction and Adverb
In Chinese, “并” (bìng) has several functions. Two of them are shown here: as a conjunction and as an adverb.
1. “并” as a conjunction
“并” links parallel two-syllable verbs, phrases or clauses. It expresses addition, and the second part often carries the idea further.
How it is translated
most often:
and
as well as
and also
Basic structure
A + 并 + B
Meaning
A and B
房东又向我介绍了一下房子里的东西，并告诉我这些东西怎么用。
The landlord introduced the things in the apartment to me again and told me how to use them.
介绍了一下房子里的东西 + 并 + 告诉我这些东西怎么用
introduced the things in the house + and + told me how to use them
房东 — landlord
向我介绍 — introduce to me
房子里的东西 — the things in the house
并 — and
告诉我 — tell me
怎么用 — how to use
Here “并” links two parallel actions.
她考上了北京大学并申请到了奖学金。
She got into Peking University and also won a scholarship.
考上了北京大学 + 并 + 申请到了奖学金
got into Peking University + and + won a scholarship
考上 — get in by examination
北京大学 — Peking University
并 — and
申请到 — successfully apply for
奖学金 — scholarship
Here too “并” links two parallel results.
2. “并” as an adverb
As an adverb, “并” comes before a negative and strengthens it.
并 + 不 / 没有
Meaning
it is not actually so
not at all …
by no means …
我并没有答应你就租这个房子，我还要再想想。
I did not actually agree to rent this apartment; I still need to think it over.
并 + 没有 + 答应
not at all + negative + agree
并没有 — did not at all … / not actually …
答应 — agree / promise
租这个房子 — rent this apartment
还要再想想 — still need to think it over
Here “并” strengthens the negative and conveys “I did not actually agree”.
Rule in brief
As a conjunction
A + 并 + B
A and B
介绍……并告诉……
introduced and told
考上……并申请到……
got in and won a scholarship
As an adverb
并 + 不 / 没有 + verb
it is not actually so / not at all …
我并没有答应。
I did not actually agree.