HSK 7–9 grammar · conjunction
⋯⋯，而⋯⋯（则）⋯⋯
⋯⋯，而⋯⋯（则）⋯⋯ — whereas
Pattern
+ + +
( ) can be left out · other words may come before, between and after
How it works
This 而 sets two subjects side by side and points out how they differ: "…, whereas …". An optional 则 before the second predicate sharpens the contrast. It is written-style and balanced — both halves should be parallel.
Examples
南方潮湿，而北方则干燥。
Nánfāng cháoshī, ér běifāng zé gānzào.
The south is humid, whereas the north is dry.
他喜欢安静，而我喜欢热闹。
Tā xǐhuan ānjìng, ér wǒ xǐhuan rènao.
He likes quiet, while I like a lively crowd.
Related
See it in a story
In the app, ⋯⋯，而⋯⋯（则）⋯⋯ is underlined wherever it appears in the stories you read, and practised with sentences from them. Free.