联系

• Pinyin: lián xì
• Hanzi breakdown: 联 = 耳 (ear) + 关 (relate), meaning to connect; 系 = 糸 (silk thread), meaning to tie or be related

Meaning

To contact; to get in touch with; connection; relationship. Used for both the act of contacting and the concept of a link.

Extremely common in daily life. As a verb: 联系我 (contact me), 联系不上 (can't reach someone). As a noun: 保持联系 (keep in touch), 没有联系 (no connection). One of the most practical words in modern Chinese, used for phone calls, messaging, email, and any form of communication.

Examples

1. 有什么事请随时联系我。 If anything comes up, please contact me at any time.
2. 我已经两年没和他联系了。 I haven't been in touch with him for two years.
3. 请把你的联系方式给我。 Please give me your contact details.

Usage Guide

Context: communication, work, daily life

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 我们要保持联系。(We should keep in touch.)
• 你能帮我联系一下李老师吗？(Could you help me get in touch with Teacher Li?)

Don't Say

• 我联系了一个电话。(Don't use 联系 with a communication tool as its object — say 我打了一个电话 for I made a call. 联系 takes a person as its object: 我联系了他.)

Origin & History

联 means to connect or link; 系 means to tie or relate. Together: to tie connections — to be in contact or have a relationship.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal