jiēzhe: 接着 - To Continue, To Follow, Next

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• Summary: Learn how to use 接着 (jiēzhe), a fundamental Chinese adverb for sequencing actions, meaning 'next,' 'then,' or 'to continue.' This comprehensive guide breaks down its grammar, provides clear examples, and explains the crucial difference between 接着 (jiēzhe) and similar words like 然后 (ránhòu). This page is perfect for HSK 3 students and beginners who want to tell stories and give instructions like a native speaker by mastering the flow of actions.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiēzhe
• Part of Speech: Adverb, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: It indicates that a second action follows a first one immediately or in close succession, often performed by the same subject.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 接着 (jiēzhe) as the glue that connects two actions happening one right after the other, like links in a chain. It’s the Chinese equivalent of saying “and then right after that…” or “continuing on…”. It emphasizes a smooth, unbroken flow of events, suggesting there's little to no time gap between the actions.

• 接 (jiē): The core meaning is “to connect,” “to receive,” or “to catch.” The left-hand radical 扌(shǒu) is the “hand” radical, suggesting an action done with the hands. So, you can picture 接 as using a hand to connect to or receive something.
• 着 (zhe): This is a grammatical particle that often indicates the continuation of an action or a state, similar to adding “-ing” in English (e.g., 看着 kànzhe - looking, 听着 tīngzhe - listening).

When combined, 接着 (jiēzhe) literally means “connecting-on.” This paints a perfect picture: you are “connecting” the next action onto the previous one, creating a continuous flow.

While 接着 (jiēzhe) isn't a deep philosophical term, its frequent use reveals an aspect of Chinese communication style: an appreciation for narrative flow and logical sequence. In storytelling, whether it's a casual anecdote or a formal presentation, using 接着 creates a sense of momentum and keeps the listener engaged. It signals, “hold on, the story isn't over, the next part is coming immediately.” Compare this to English, where we might use a more varied or sometimes disjointed set of connectors like “And then…”, “So after that…”, “Next…”. 接着 implies a tighter, more immediate, and often more logical progression of events performed by a single actor. It’s a tool for building a seamless narrative chain, which is highly valued in clear communication. In traditional Chinese performance arts like 评书 (píngshū - storytelling), masters use words like 接着 to skillfully control the pace and keep the audience hanging on their every word.

接着 (jiēzhe) is extremely common in everyday spoken Mandarin. It's a versatile word used in various contexts.

• Narrating a Sequence of Events: This is its most common use. You do action A, and 接着 you do action B.

e.g., 我吃完饭，接着看了一会儿电视。 (Wǒ chī wán fàn, jiēzhe kànle yíhuìr diànshì.) - I finished eating, and then right after, I watched TV for a bit.

• Giving Instructions: It's used to lay out steps in a clear order.

e.g., 你先把水烧开，接着把面条放进去。 (Nǐ xiān bǎ shuǐ shāo kāi, jiēzhe bǎ miàntiáo fàng jìnqù.) - First, you boil the water, then put the noodles in.

• As a Verb “To Continue”: It can function directly as a verb, often followed by another verb. This is common when asking someone to continue what they were doing or saying.

e.g., 你接着说，我听着呢。 (Nǐ jiēzhe shuō, wǒ tīngzhe ne.) - Please continue talking, I'm listening. Its formality is neutral to informal, making it suitable for almost any daily conversation. In more formal writing or speeches, 随后 (suíhòu) might be used instead.

• Example 1:
  • 他吃完晚饭，接着就去散步了。
  • Pinyin: Tā chī wán wǎnfàn, jiēzhe jiù qù sànbùle.
  • English: After he finished dinner, he immediately went for a walk.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of a tight sequence of actions. The word 就 (jiù) further emphasizes the immediacy.
• Example 2:
  • 老师讲完了第一课，接着又讲了第二课。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī jiǎng wánle dì yī kè, jiēzhe yòu jiǎngle dì èr kè.
  • English: The teacher finished explaining Lesson One, and then continued on to explain Lesson Two.
  • Analysis: Here, 接着 shows the seamless transition from one teaching topic to the next within the same class period.
• Example 3:
  • 这个故事很有意思，请你接着讲。
  • Pinyin: Zhège gùshì hěn yǒuyìsi, qǐng nǐ jiēzhe jiǎng.
  • English: This story is very interesting, please continue telling it.
  • Analysis: In this case, 接着 is used as a verb, meaning “to continue.” It's a polite way to ask someone not to stop their narrative.
• Example 4:
  • 外面打了一声雷，接着就下起了倾盆大雨。
  • Pinyin: Wàimiàn dǎle yī shēng léi, jiēzhe jiù xià qǐle qīngpén dàyǔ.
  • English: There was a clap of thunder outside, and immediately after, it started pouring rain.
  • Analysis: 接着 is perfect for describing natural phenomena that happen in quick succession.
• Example 5:
  • 别停下，接着跑！
  • Pinyin: Bié tíng xià, jiēzhe pǎo!
  • English: Don't stop, keep running!
  • Analysis: Used as a command or encouragement, 接着 here means “to continue” the action of running without a break.
• Example 6:
  • 我们先把桌子擦干净，接着再摆碗筷。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xiān bǎ zhuōzi cā gānjìng, jiēzhe zài bǎi wǎn kuài.
  • English: Let's wipe the table clean first, and then set out the bowls and chopsticks.
  • Analysis: A great example of using 接着 to give clear, sequential instructions for a task.
• Example 7:
  • 他喝了一口水，接着开始了他的演讲。
  • Pinyin: Tā hēle yīkǒu shuǐ, jiēzhe kāishǐle tā de yǎnjiǎng.
  • English: He took a sip of water, and then began his speech.
  • Analysis: Shows how 接着 can connect a small preparatory action to a major one, highlighting the flow.
• Example 8:
  • 你先说，我接着你的话说。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiān shuō, wǒ jiēzhe nǐ de huàshuō.
  • English: You speak first, and I'll continue on from what you said.
  • Analysis: This shows a more abstract use of 接着, meaning to build upon or continue someone else's line of thought in a conversation.
• Example 9:
  • 他挂了我的电话，接着就关机了。
  • Pinyin: Tā guàle wǒ de diànhuà, jiēzhe jiù guānjīle.
  • English: He hung up on me, and then immediately turned off his phone.
  • Analysis: This conveys a sense of speed and perhaps frustration. The actions are rapid and directly linked.
• Example 10:
  • 看完这本书，我接着又读了这位作者的另一本书。
  • Pinyin: Kàn wán zhè běn shū, wǒ jiēzhe yòu dúle zhè wèi zuòzhě de lìng yī běn shū.
  • English: After finishing this book, I went on to read another book by the same author.
  • Analysis: Although reading a whole new book takes time, 接着 is used here to show the speaker's continuous interest and the immediate decision to start the next book. The focus is on the sequence of personal actions, not the absolute time elapsed.

The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 接着 (jiēzhe) from 然后 (ránhòu).

• `接着 (jiēzhe)` vs. `然后 (ránhòu)`:
  • Immediacy: 接着 implies a very short, almost non-existent time gap. The second action happens right after the first. 然后 is a more general “then” and the time gap can be short or long (minutes, hours, or even days).
  • Subject: 接着 is most often used when the same subject performs both actions. While 然后 can also be used this way, it's the required choice if the subjects are different.
  • Flow vs. List: 接着 emphasizes a continuous flow. 然后 is more like a neutral “and then” that just lists the next item in a sequence.
• Incorrect Usage Example:
  • Wrong: 我去年去了北京，接着今年去了上海。 (Wǒ qùnián qùle Běijīng, jiēzhe jīnnián qùle Shànghǎi.)
  • Reason: The time gap of one year is far too long for 接着. It breaks the sense of immediacy.
  • Correct: 我去年去了北京，然后今年去了上海。 (Wǒ qùnián qùle Běijīng, ránhòu jīnnián qùle Shànghǎi.) Or simply state them as two facts.
• Incorrect Usage with Different Subjects:
  • Awkward: 我先走了，接着你来。 (Wǒ xiān zǒule, jiēzhe nǐ lái.)
  • Reason: The subjects (“I” and “you”) are different. While not grammatically catastrophic, it's unnatural.
  • Correct: 我先走了，然后你再来。 (Wǒ xiān zǒule, ránhòu nǐ zài lái.)

• 然后 (ránhòu) - The most common sequencing word, meaning “and then” or “after that.” It is more general and flexible than `接着`.
• 后来 (hòulái) - “Afterwards,” “later on.” Used exclusively for describing a sequence of events in the past, usually with a significant time gap.
• 继续 (jìxù) - A verb meaning “to continue.” It focuses on resuming an action that was paused or interrupted (e.g., “let's continue the meeting”), whereas `接着` focuses on starting the next action in a sequence.
• 接下来 (jiē xiàlái) - “Next,” “coming up.” Very similar to `接着`, but often used by a speaker or host to introduce the next item on an agenda or the next part of a performance. (e.g., “Next, let's welcome Mr. Wang to the stage.”)
• 于是 (yúshì) - “So,” “therefore,” “as a result.” It connects two clauses based on cause-and-effect, not just a time sequence.
• 随后 (suíhòu) - “Subsequently,” “soon after.” A more formal and written-style synonym for `接着` or `然后`.