Besides: adding a reason with 况且
况且 adds a further reason in support of a point the speaker is already making, often followed by 又, 也 or 还. Unlike 而且 it cannot pair with 不但, and unlike 何况 it is never used in a “let alone” question.
Structure
理由一，况且 + （主语）+ 又／也／还 + 理由二
Explanation
Chinese words in this text can be activated to show a dictionary gloss.
belongs to argument. The speaker has a conclusion in mind — usually a decision to do or not do something — and is stacking up reasons for it. The first reason comes first; introduces the next: ， “It’s too late to go now — and besides, it’s raining.” The conclusion, , may be stated or left to the listener.
stands at the head of its clause, before the subject, and is very often followed by , or : ，. It can only add; it never opens the argument, so a sentence that begins with has nothing to add to.
Two neighbours are easily confused with it. adds facts in general and pairs with ; never does, so …… is an error. can also mean “besides”, but its typical use is the rhetorical “let alone”: ，? cannot carry that meaning, so ? is wrong.
Correct
Say each one out loud before moving on. The audio is a reference pronunciation, not a model to imitate exactly — match the tone contour, not the voice.
这件衣服太贵了，况且颜色我也不太喜欢。這件衣服太貴了，況且顏色我也不太喜歡。
Zhè (fourth tone, falling) jiàn (fourth tone, falling) yīfu (first tone, high and level) tài (fourth tone, falling) guì (fourth tone, falling) le, (neutral tone) kuàngqiě (fourth tone, falling) yánsè (second tone, rising) wǒ (third tone, dipping) yě (third tone, dipping) bú (second tone, rising) tài (fourth tone, falling) xǐhuan. (third tone, dipping)···
This jacket is too expensive — and besides, I don’t much like the colour.
你别着急，时间还早，况且他已经在路上了。你別著急，時間還早，況且他已經在路上了。
Nǐ (third tone, dipping) bié (second tone, rising) zháojí, (second tone, rising) shíjiān (second tone, rising) hái (second tone, rising) zǎo, (third tone, dipping) kuàngqiě (fourth tone, falling) tā (first tone, high and level) yǐjīng (third tone, dipping) zài (fourth tone, falling) lùshang (fourth tone, falling) le. (neutral tone)···
Don’t worry — it’s still early, and besides, he’s already on his way.
这份工作离家近，况且收入也不错，你就接受吧。這份工作離家近，況且收入也不錯，你就接受吧。
Zhè (fourth tone, falling) fèn (fourth tone, falling) gōngzuò (first tone, high and level) lí (second tone, rising) jiā (first tone, high and level) jìn, (fourth tone, falling) kuàngqiě (fourth tone, falling) shōurù (first tone, high and level) yě (third tone, dipping) búcuò, (second tone, rising) nǐ (third tone, dipping) jiù (fourth tone, falling) jiēshòu (first tone, high and level) ba. (neutral tone)···
The job is close to home and the pay is good as well — take it.
Incorrect — Common mistakes
These sentences are wrong. They are printed here on purpose, each one paired with the repair and the reason, because the error you can recognise is the error you stop making.
Not quite
Incorrect sentence: 他不但会弹钢琴，况且会唱歌。
Correct
Correct sentence: 他不但会弹钢琴，而且会唱歌。
Why: 不但 is answered by 而且, never by 况且.
Not quite
Incorrect sentence: 这个字连老师都不认识，况且我们呢？
Correct
Correct sentence: 这个字连老师都不认识，何况我们呢？
Why: The rhetorical “let alone” is 何况. 况且 only adds a reason to an argument.
Not quite
Incorrect sentence: 况且这家店太贵，我们换一家吧。
Correct
Correct sentence: 这家店太远了，况且东西也很贵，我们换一家吧。
Why: 况且 adds to a reason already given; it cannot open the argument.
Compared with
Most errors with this pattern are not errors about this pattern — they are a neighbouring pattern arriving at the wrong moment. Read these side by side.
而且 is the general-purpose “and also”: it describes, and it can partner 不但. 况且 argues: the added fact is there to support a decision or opinion, so it sounds natural in persuading, refusing or reassuring, and odd in plain description.
Not only… but also: 不但…而且… →Mini quiz
Question 1 / 3Total score: 0
Choose the word for the gap.
现在去已经来不及了，___ 外面还在下雨，我们明天再去吧。