而 is a literary conjunction. In the pattern 因A而B, it means 'because of A, B happens.' In A而B with adjectives/verbs, it means 'but/yet.' More formal than 但是.
usage
Common compounds: 而且 (moreover), 然而 (however), 而已 (that's all), 从而 (thereby). 而 adds a literary or formal tone.
Components
pictograph
而ér
beard; whiskers (original); and; but (modern)
Self-component — 而 is itself Kangxi radical #126. The oracle-bone form depicted a chin with three or four hanging beard hairs: the top horizontal is the chin, the inner verticals are whiskers. Borrowed very early on for the conjunction 'and; but,' losing the beard meaning. Indexes 耐, 耍, and (historically) 需.
