继而 jì’ér then
then; afterwards
How to remember 继而: 继 continue + 而 and yet = then.
Characters
How it is used
- 'Then / and then', linking a second action right after a first - 先是惊讶,继而大笑 (xiān shì jīngyà, jì'ér dàxiào) first surprised, then bursting into laughter.
- Written connector for sequence, more formal than 然后 (ránhòu); often paired with 先是 (xiān shì) or 起初 (qǐchū).
- Signals a natural progression from one stage to the next.