The conjunction 而
而 can be translated in different ways. It can serve as a coordinating conjunction and as an alternative conjunction.
The alternative conjunction "but"
Pay attention
The alternative conjunction 而 
expresses the contrast between words or sentences. It can be used in both written and spoken language.
In simple sentences, 而 is placed before a verb.
expresses the contrast between words or sentences. It can be used in both written and spoken language.
In simple sentences, 而 is placed before a verb. Pay attention
In these sentences, a negative adverb is placed before one of the predicates. For example, 不 or 没 .
or 没 .Examples
他要来而没有来
He wanted to come, but he couldn't
tā yào lái ér méiyǒu lái
我不应该说而说了
I shouldn't have said it, but I did
wǒ bù yīnggāi shuō ér shuō le
早上上班的时候坐地铁而不坐车是明智的
In the morning, it's better to go to work by subway rather than by car
zǎoshang shàngbān de shíhòu zuò dìtiě ér bú zuòchē shì míngzhì de
而 is also used to connect parts of compound sentences.
Pay attention
In these sentences, the subject is placed after 而.
The particle 则 is often placed between a subject and a predicate in the second part of a sentence.
is often placed between a subject and a predicate in the second part of a sentence.Examples
绝大多数的人用感觉来思考，而我却用思考来感觉
Most people think with their feelings, but I feel with my thoughts
jué dàduōshǔ de rén yòng gǎnjué lái sīkǎo, ér wǒ què yòng sīkǎo lái gǎnjué
北方人过春节往往吃饺子，而南方人的习俗则是吃汤圆
During the Spring Festival, northerners often eat dumplings, while southerners eat boiled balls of glutinous rice flour
běifāngrén guò chūnjié wǎngwǎng chī jiǎozi, ér nánfāngrén de xísú zé shì chī tāngyuán
我老婆习惯安静、大自然的乡村生活，而我则习惯喧闹繁忙的大城市生活
My wife is used to a quiet life in the countryside, while I am used to the noise and bustle of the big city
wǒ lǎopo xíguàn ānjìng, dàzìrán de xiāngcūn shēnghuó, ér wǒ zé xíguàn xuānnào fánmáng de dà chéngshì shēnghuó
The coordinating conjunction “and"
Pay attention
A coordinating conjunction (联合连接词) is a conjunction that connects words, phrases, and clauses that are coordinate, or equal to each other.
而 can serve as a coordinating conjunction "and", "also". It is used to connect adjectives.
Examples
她很聪明而勇敢
She is very smart and brave
tā hěn cōngmíng ér yǒnggǎn
空气清新而纯净
The air is clean and fresh
kōngqì qīngxīn ér chúnjìng
他长得瘦高而英俊
He is tall and handsome
tā zhǎng dé shòu gāo ér yīngjùn