What are pseudo-classes and pseudo-elements in CSS and how are they used?
Asked on Aug 27, 2025
Answer
Pseudo-classes and pseudo-elements are special CSS selectors that allow you to style elements based on their state or part of their content. Pseudo-classes target elements in a specific state, while pseudo-elements style specific parts of an element.
Example Concept: Pseudo-classes are used to define a special state of an element, such as ":hover" for when a user hovers over an element. Pseudo-elements, like "::before" and "::after", allow you to style specific parts of an element, such as adding content before or after the element's content. Pseudo-classes are written with a single colon (e.g., ":hover"), while pseudo-elements use a double colon (e.g., "::before").
Additional Comment:
- Pseudo-classes include ":hover", ":focus", ":nth-child()", and ":active".
- Pseudo-elements include "::before", "::after", "::first-line", and "::first-letter".
- Use pseudo-classes to apply styles based on user interactions or element states.
- Use pseudo-elements to style specific parts of an element without additional HTML.
- Combining pseudo-classes and pseudo-elements can create complex and dynamic styles.
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