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March 24, 2026
链(鏈)liàn(lian4)
The character 链 (liàn) primarily refers to a 'chain' or 'cable', often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. It can denote physical chains used for securing objects or abstractly describe connections between concepts or people.
Strokes12Radical钅Frequency#4728DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, chains symbolize both security and restriction. The concept of being 'chained' can evoke thoughts about personal freedom, as seen in historical contexts of oppression.
Memory Tip
Imagine a long, shiny metal chain glistening in the sun. The left part of the character (金) represents metal, while the right part (连) can remind you of linking things together, just like how chains connect links. Think of 'liàn' as 'linking' with chains.
Meanings of 链
liàn(lian4)
1chain
2cable (unit of length: 100 fathoms, about 185 m)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 链
链Simplified
鏈Traditional
12Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4728Frequency Rank
Podcast: 链
Podcast: 链
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AI Study Notes for 链
Quick Contrast
链 (liàn) vs 绳 (shéng) — choose 链 when referring to a chain or metal link, while 绳 refers specifically to a rope or cord.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a long, shiny metal chain glistening in the sun. The left part of the character (金) represents metal, while the right part (连) can remind you of linking things together, just like how chains connect links. Think of 'liàn' as 'linking' with chains.
Usage Notes
When using 链, be mindful of its context; it can refer to physical chains or metaphorically to relationships. A common mistake is confusing it with related words like 连接 (liánjiē), which means 'to connect', but emphasizes the act rather than the object.
HSK Study Tips
Although not specifically listed in HSK levels, 链 connects with basic vocabulary related to connections and objects. Students should focus on recognizing its use in compound words and phrases related to 'chains' or 'connections'.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, chains symbolize both security and restriction. The concept of being 'chained' can evoke thoughts about personal freedom, as seen in historical contexts of oppression.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 链 with 连 (lián), which means 'to connect' but is not a noun. For example, saying '我需要一个连' (Wǒ xūyào yīgè lián) instead of '我需要一个链' (Wǒ xūyào yīgè liàn) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 链
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Grammar Patterns of 链
链 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
女子____球运动还不是主要的赛事。
Hammer-throwing for women is not yet a major event.
Hammer-throwing for women is not yet a major event.
2
她脖子上戴着一条银项链，上面挂着个十字架。
tā bó zǐ shàng dài zháo yī tiáo yín xiàng liàn， ， shàng miàn guà zháo gè shí zì。
Round her neck was a cross on a silver chain.
3
他喜欢戴金链子，穿花里胡哨的衣服来招人反感。
tā xǐ huān dài jīn liàn zǐ， ， chuān huā lǐ hú shào de yī fú lái zhāo rén fǎn。
He liked to shock with his gold chains and loud clothes.
4
急救人员担心燃烧着的船只可能会脱链滑走。
jí jiù rén yuán dān xīn rán shāo zháo de chuán zhī kě néng huì tuō liàn huá zǒu。
Emergency workers fear that the burning ship could slip its moorings.
5
我慢慢地把那些沉重的黑色尼龙袋的拉链拉上并锁好。
wǒ màn màn dì bǎ nà xiē chén zhòng de hēi sè ní lóng dài de lā liàn lā shàng bìng suǒ hǎo。
I slowly zipped and locked the heavy black nylon bags.
6
她细腻光滑、美丽白皙的脖子上戴着一条精致的链子。
tā xì nì guāng huá、 、 měi lì bái xī de bó zǐ shàng dài zháo yī tiáo jīng zhì de liàn。
She wore a fine chain about her alabaster neck.
7
她的珠子项链和手镯在她走动时叮当作响。
tā de zhū zǐ xiàng liàn hé shǒu zhuó zài tā zǒu dòng shí dīng dāng zuò xiǎng。
Her bead necklaces and bracelets jangled as she walked.
8
他稍稍往下拉了拉皮夹克的拉链。
tā shāo shāo wǎng xià lā le lā pí jiā kè de lā liàn。
He pulled the zip of his leather jacket down slightly.
9
有一次他裤链没拉就出了厕所。
yǒu yī cì tā kù liàn méi lā jiù chū le cè suǒ。
He once emerged from the toilets with his flies unfastened.
10
点击超级链接。
diǎn jī chāo jí liàn jiē。
Click on the hyperlink.
Cultural Notes for 链
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, chains symbolize both security and restriction. The concept of being 'chained' can evoke thoughts about personal freedom, as seen in historical contexts of oppression.
Word Family of 链
Words Containing This Character20
链liànchain鏈
项链xiàngliànnecklace項鏈
链接link (on a website)鏈接
拉链zipper拉鏈
链条chain鏈條
链子chain鏈子
铁链iron chain鐵鏈
锁链chains鎖鏈
食物链food chain食物鏈
链球菌streptococcus (genus of bacteria)鏈球菌
手链chain bracelet手鏈
铰链hinge鉸鏈
链路link鏈路
防滑链snow chain (for a vehicle tire)防滑鏈
单链single chain單鏈
链球hammer throw鏈球
生物链food chain生物鏈
钥匙链keychain鑰匙鏈
侧链side chain (used in classifying amino acids)側鏈
链式反应chain reaction鏈式反應
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 链 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 链
You can say '这条链子很重' (Zhè tiáo liànzi hěn zhòng) meaning 'This chain is very heavy'.
You might encounter 链接 (liànjiē) meaning 'link' or 'connection', often used in technology contexts.
