连

• Pinyin: lián
• Hanzi breakdown: 连 = 辶 (movement) + 车 (vehicle), simplified from 連, originally meaning a sequence of linked vehicles

Meaning

Even; to link; in succession. Used to emphasise surprising inclusion or to indicate connection.

As an adverb, 连 means 'even' and is used for emphasis, often paired with 都 or 也 in the pattern 连...都/也. As a verb, it means 'to connect' or 'to link.' In the emphatic sense, it highlights that something unexpected is true, often expressing surprise or frustration. Very common in spoken Chinese.

Examples

1. 他连一句中文都不会说。 He can't even say a single sentence in Chinese.
2. 这道题太难了，连老师也做不出来。 This question is so difficult that even the teacher can't solve it.
3. 她忙得连饭都没时间吃。 She is so busy that she doesn't even have time to eat.

Usage Guide

Context: emphasis, surprise, complaint

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 连小孩都知道这个道理。(Even children know this truth.)
• 他连续跑了三天。(He ran for three days in a row.)

Don't Say

• 连他去了商店。(Don't use 连 without 都 or 也 in the 'even' sense — the correct pattern is 连...都/也...; say 连他都去了商店)

Origin & History

A pictophonetic character. The original meaning was 'to link' or 'to connect,' derived from the image of linked vehicles. Later extended to the adverbial use meaning 'even.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal