且

• Pinyin: qiě
• Hanzi breakdown: 且 = a pictographic character showing stacked layers — extended to mean 'moreover, and also, for the time being'

Meaning

And; moreover; furthermore. A conjunction or adverb indicating addition, concession, or a temporary situation in literary and formal Chinese.

A classical particle with several related uses: (1) conjunction meaning 'and also' or 'moreover' (既…且… — both…and…); (2) adverb meaning 'for now' or 'for the time being' (且慢 — hold on; 暂且 — for the time being); (3) in concessive patterns (尚且 — even; 况且 — furthermore). More literary and formal than 并且 or 而且 in most contexts.

Examples

1. 该方案设计合理且成本可控，获得了委员会全体成员的一致通过。 The plan is well designed and the costs are controllable, so it was unanimously approved by the entire committee.
2. 情况尚不明朗，我们且先观望，不必急于表态。 The situation is still unclear, so for now we should wait and see and not rush to take a position.
3. 他既聪明且勤奋，在同届学生中表现尤为突出。 He is both intelligent and hardworking, and his performance is especially outstanding among his peers.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, legal, literary

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 本次改革方案涵盖范围广且细节严谨，充分考虑了各利益相关方的诉求，经过多轮修订后已具备付诸实施的条件。(The reform plan for this occasion has wide coverage and rigorous detail, fully taking into account the demands of all stakeholders; after multiple rounds of revision it is now ready to be put into practice.)
• 事态尚不明朗，建议各方且勿轻举妄动，等待官方调查结果出炉后再作进一步决策。(The situation is not yet clear; it is recommended that all parties refrain from acting rashly for the time being and wait for the official investigation results before making further decisions.)

Don't Say

• 我且去买菜 — using 且 as 'I'm going to buy groceries' sounds archaic and unnatural; in modern spoken Chinese use 我去买菜了 or 我先去买菜 (I'll go buy groceries first)

Origin & History

Classical Chinese particle 且 — originally depicted a layered object (stacked slices), later grammaticalised to mean 'and; moreover; for now'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal