……，继而……
and then; subsequently (formal)
Structure
先／起初 第一件事 ， 继而 接着发生的事
What it means
“And then; subsequently”: 继 is “to continue”, so 继而 links a second action or state that follows the first in time.
How it is built
(先／先是／起初) + first event ， 继而 + next event: 他先是一愣，继而哈哈大笑起来 (he froze for a moment, then burst out laughing).
When to use it
Written and formal, common in history and narrative; in conversation say 然后 or 接着. It only shows sequence: with 进而 (2-23) the next step builds on the first and goes further; 从而 (3-1) brings a result.
Watch out
Not for a result or a deeper stage. ✗ 他改进了方法，继而提高了效率 ✓ 他改进了方法，从而提高了效率. Keep 继而 for plain “and next”.
Examples
成吉思汗先攻打西夏和金朝，继而向西远征。
Chinggis Khan first attacked the Western Xia and the Jin, and then campaigned westwards.
他先是一愣，继而哈哈大笑起来。
He froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.
会议先讨论了预算，继而转向人员安排。
The meeting discussed the budget first and then turned to staffing.
Learn this in Lesson 95 · HSK 6–7: 元朝：马背上的帝国 (The Yuan: an empire on horseback)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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