Formal Connectors in Chinese

Overview

Formal connectors (书面连接词, shūmiàn liánjiēcí) are linking words used primarily in written Chinese: 因此 (therefore), 然而 (however), 此外 (furthermore), 尽管 (despite), 由于 (due to), and 从而 (thereby). They elevate register and are essential for academic writing, news reports, and formal presentations.

At the CEFR B2 level, these connectors bridge the gap between conversational and academic Chinese. They replace casual equivalents: 所以 → 因此, 但是 → 然而, 还有 → 此外. Using them appropriately signals education and formal competence.

How It Works

Formal	Casual equivalent	Meaning
因此	所以	therefore
然而	但是/可是	however
此外	还有/另外	furthermore
尽管	虽然	despite/although
由于	因为	due to
从而	所以/这样	thereby
不过	但是	however (slightly less formal)
相反	--	on the contrary
同时	--	at the same time
否则	--	otherwise

Examples in Context

Chinese	Pinyin	English	Note
因此，我们决定...	Yīncǐ, wǒmen juédìng...	Therefore, we decided...	conclusion
然而，事实并非如此。	Rán'ér, shìshí bìng fēi rúcǐ.	However, the facts say otherwise.	contrast
尽管困难很多，他成功了。	Jǐnguǎn kùnnán hěn duō, tā chénggōng le.	Despite many difficulties, he succeeded.	concession
由于天气原因...	Yóuyú tiānqì yuányīn...	Due to weather reasons...	cause
此外，还有一个问题。	Cǐwài, hái yǒu yí gè wèntí.	Furthermore, there is another issue.	addition
从而提高了效率。	Cóng'ér tígāo le xiàolǜ.	Thereby improving efficiency.	result
否则会很麻烦。	Fǒuzé huì hěn máfan.	Otherwise it will be troublesome.	warning
相反，他更努力了。	Xiāngfǎn, tā gèng nǔlì le.	On the contrary, he worked harder.	opposition
同时，我们也要注意...	Tóngshí, wǒmen yě yào zhùyì...	At the same time, we should also note...	parallel
不过，情况已经好转了。	Búguò, qíngkuàng yǐjīng hǎozhuǎn le.	However, things have improved.	mild contrast

Common Mistakes

Using formal connectors in casual speech

• Wrong: 因此我想吃火锅。(overly formal for casual suggestion)
• Right: 所以我想吃火锅。
• Why: Formal connectors in casual contexts sound stilted and unnatural.

Confusing 尽管 and 虽然 usage

• Wrong: Treating them as completely identical
• Right: 尽管 is more formal and emphasizes the concession more strongly
• Why: While similar, 尽管 often implies the speaker acknowledges the difficulty more emphatically.

Overusing formal connectors in sequence

• Wrong: 首先...因此...然而...此外...从而... (too many formal connectors)
• Right: Mix formal connectors with natural flow; not every sentence needs one
• Why: Excessive formal connectors make writing feel mechanical.

Practice Tips

• When writing formal essays or emails, consciously replace casual connectors with formal ones: 所以→因此, 但是→然而.
• Read Chinese news articles and highlight formal connectors to see how they are used in context.
• Practice writing short formal paragraphs using 2-3 formal connectors naturally.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Discourse Markers -- understand discourse organization before formal register