HSK 4, nr, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #437, Medium
连
lián
to link
HSK 4, nr, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #437, Medium
连
lián
to join
HSK 4, nr, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #437, Medium
连
lián
to connect
HSK 4, nr, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #437, Medium
连
lián
continuously
HSK 4, nr, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #437, Medium
连
lián
in succession
HSK 4, nr, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #437, Medium
连
lián
including
HSK 4, nr, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #437, Medium
连
lián
(used with 也, 都 etc) even
HSK 4, nr, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #437, Medium
连
lián
company (military)
HSK 4, nr, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #437, Medium
连
lián
to join, to connect; continuous; even
HSK 4, nr, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #437, Medium
lián(Lian2) T2
1to link
2to join
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March 24, 2026
连(連)lián(Lian2)
The character 连 (lián) primarily means 'to link' or 'to connect.' It can also imply continuity or succession, as in actions or events occurring in sequence. Additionally, it serves as a surname and is used in expressions indicating inclusion or emphasis, such as 'even' or 'including.'
Strokes7Radical辶Frequency#437DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
The use of 连 is prevalent in Chinese idioms and expressions, reflecting the culture's emphasis on connection and continuity in relationships and processes, such as 连理枝 (liánlǐzhī), which symbolizes a harmonious relationship.
Memory Tip
Imagine a long chain (连) that connects various links together, symbolizing connection and continuity. The character resembles a chain with its components, where the radical can be seen as the links being joined together, making it easier to remember both its meaning and pronunciation.
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AI Study Notes for 连
Quick Contrast
连 (lián) vs 与 (yǔ) — use 连 when emphasizing inclusion or connection, while 与 is used for a more neutral conjunction meaning 'and'.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a long chain (连) that connects various links together, symbolizing connection and continuity. The character resembles a chain with its components, where the radical can be seen as the links being joined together, making it easier to remember both its meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 连 with 连接 (liánjiē), which also means 'to connect' but is more formal. It is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts, but be cautious of tone; misplacing the tone can change the meaning drastically. Common collocations include 连续 (liánxù, 'continuously') and 连忙 (liánmáng, 'hastily').
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 连 connects well with other words focusing on continuity and connection, such as 继续 (jìxù, 'to continue'). Students should practice using 连 in various sentence structures to express linking concepts or actions.
Cultural Note
The use of 连 is prevalent in Chinese idioms and expressions, reflecting the culture's emphasis on connection and continuity in relationships and processes, such as 连理枝 (liánlǐzhī), which symbolizes a harmonious relationship.
Common Mistakes
Learners may misuse 连 when trying to express a simple connection, confusing it with other verbs like 连接 (liánjiē). For instance, saying '我连家' (I link home) is incorrect; instead, use '我连着家' (I am connected to home).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 连
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Grammar Patterns of 连
连 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 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
The character '连' is composed of the radical 车 (cart) and 辶 (movement), symbolizing the idea of connecting goods and places. This reflects ancient trade practices where carts were essential for transporting goods.
🏮Cultural insight
The use of 连 is prevalent in Chinese idioms and expressions, reflecting the culture's emphasis on connection and continuity in relationships and processes, such as 连理枝 (liánlǐzhī), which symbolizes a harmonious relationship.
Word Family of 连
Compounds7
链lian4chain
莲lian2lotus, water lily; paradise
涟lian2flowing water; ripples; weeping
裢lian2a folding purse kept in one's belt
梿lian2flail; to thresh
琏lian3a vessel used to hold grain offerings
鲢lian2silver carp, hypophthalmiathys
Words Containing This Character20
连liánto link連
连续liánxùcontinuous連續
连接liánjiēto link連接
连环chain連環
大连Dalian subprovincial city in Liaoning province 遼寧省|辽宁省 in northeast China大連
连锁liánsuǒto interlock連鎖
连连repeatedly連連
相连xiāngliánto link相連
牵连to implicate牽連
连忙liánmángpromptly連忙
接连jiēliánon end接連
一连串yìliánchuàna succession of一連串
连锁店liánsuǒdiànchain store連鎖店
连同liántóngtogether with連同
连带to be related連帶
连夜liányèthat very night連夜
连续剧liánxùjùserialized drama連續劇
连队company (of troops)連隊
一连yìliánin a row一連
连任liánrènto continue in (a political) office連任
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 链 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 连
连 (lián) emphasizes a connection that is continuous or inclusive, while 和 (hé) is typically used to simply mean 'and'. For instance, '他连朋友都不理' (He doesn't even pay attention to his friends) highlights the extent of the situation, whereas '他和朋友一起去' (He goes with his friends) just states a conjunction.
Yes, 连 is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese. It is often used to link ideas or actions, making it a versatile character in various contexts, such as in literature, casual conversation, and formal writing.
连 (lián) means 'to join' or 'to connect' in Chinese. It can also be used to indicate continuity, such as 'continuously' or 'in succession'. Additionally, it is a common surname in China.
连 can be used to express connection or continuity in a sentence. For example, you can say '我连着两天没见到他' (I haven't seen him for two consecutive days). It emphasizes the idea of something happening in succession or being inclusive.
You can use 连 to connect clauses, for example, '我连吃了三天的米饭' (I ate rice for three continuous days).
Yes, 连 (Lián) is a relatively common surname in China.
Absolutely! 连 is used in both informal and formal contexts, but ensure your tone and usage are appropriate to match the context.
