联合

• Pinyin: lián hé
• Hanzi breakdown: 联 = 耳 (ear) + 关 (to close/relate), meaning to connect; 合 = 人 (person) + 一 (one) + 口 (mouth), meaning to unite or come together

Meaning

To unite; to combine; joint; combined. Describes entities joining together for a common purpose.

Used in both formal and political contexts. Very common in compound words: 联合国 (United Nations), 联合声明 (joint statement), 联合行动 (joint action). As a verb, it means to join forces or work together. As an adjective, it means joint or combined. More formal than 合作 (cooperate).

Examples

1. 两家公司决定联合开发新产品。 The two companies decided to jointly develop a new product.
2. 大家联合起来解决这个问题。 Everyone united to solve this problem.
3. 这次活动是三个学校联合举办的。 This event was jointly organised by three schools.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, business, cooperation

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 我们应该联合其他部门一起做。(We should join forces with other departments.)
• 这是一次联合行动。(This is a joint operation.)

Don't Say

• 我跟朋友联合去旅游。(Don't use 联合 for casual personal activities — it's for formal cooperation. Say 我跟朋友一起去旅游.)

Origin & History

联 means to link or connect; 合 means to combine or close together. Together: to link and combine — to unite.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal