TongTong
Sign in

相连 (xiāng lián) — to be connected, to be linked

Definition

相连 emphasizes that things are naturally or physically linked together as a pair or group. Use 连接 for an active joining action, and 关联 for a looser logical relationship.

verb
to be connectedto be linked

Examples

  • 相连。
    Zhè liǎng gè chéng shì tōng guò tiě lù xiāng lián.
    These two cities are connected by rail.
  • 相连。
    xiāng lián De diàn nǎo kě yǐ gòng xiǎng wén jiàn.
    The connected computers can share files.
  • 相连。
    Wǒ men de mìng yùn jǐn mì xiāng lián.
    Our fates are closely linked.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

相xiāngmutual
连liánconnect

「相」 (mutual) and 「连」 (connect) combine to mean linked to one another.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

In 相, 目 is an eye and 木 is a tree, showing an eye looking at a tree; this originally meant “to observe.”

Open 相 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 連; 连 is its simplified writing.

  • 辶辵chuòto walk
  • 車車jūchariot

The traditional form 連 joins 辶 (walk) and 車 (chariot) to show a man-drawn carriage; this note is about 連, not the simplified 连.

Open 连 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Abstract Concepts

Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.