A，B for Joining Clauses Without Connecting Words
Join two short clauses with just a comma and let the meaning show how they connect.
Pattern
clause 1，clause 2。
Chinese often joins clauses with only a comma; order and meaning show whether it is a list, a sequence, a reason, or a condition.
天气太冷，我不想出去。
When to use A，B for Joining Clauses Without Connecting Words
In English you usually need “and,” “so,” or “if” between two clauses. Chinese often uses just a comma. The listener works out the link from the meaning: two facts, one action after another, a reason and its result, or a condition (“if …”) and what follows.
我叫王明，今年十八岁。
My name is Wang Ming, and I’m eighteen this year.
我们吃了饭，去看电影。
We’ll eat and then go see a movie.
有问题，问老师。
If you have a question, ask the teacher.
哥哥喜欢唱歌，弟弟喜欢跳舞。
My older brother likes singing, and my younger brother likes dancing.
Common traps
- Don’t join two clauses with 和: say 我喜欢喝茶，他喜欢喝咖啡, not 我喜欢喝茶和他喜欢喝咖啡.
- Clause order carries the meaning: put what happens first, the reason, or the condition first.
- Use a comma (，) between the clauses and a full stop (。) only at the end.
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