接连

• Pinyin: jiē lián
• Hanzi breakdown: 接 = 扌(hand) + 妾 (phonetic); 连 = 辶 (walk) + 车 (cart), meaning to link

Meaning

In succession; one after another; consecutively.

Emphasizes that events happen in close succession without interruption. Often implies either a string of luck (好事接连发生) or misfortune (接连遭遇挫折). Stronger than 连续 in emphasizing the lack of gap between events.

Examples

1. 这家餐厅接连开了三家分店，生意非常好。 This restaurant has opened three branches in succession — business is very good.
2. 他接连考试失败，心情很低落。 He failed exams one after another and felt very down.
3. 暴风雨接连袭击了沿海城市，造成严重损失。 Storms struck coastal cities in succession, causing severe damage.

Usage Guide

Context: news, narrative, formal writing

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 他接连几天没睡好。(He hasn't slept well for several days in a row.)
• 公司接连推出新产品。(The company launched new products one after another.)

Don't Say

• 我接连喜欢这首歌 (接连 is for repeated events, not ongoing states — use 一直 for continuous liking)

Origin & History

Compound of 接 (connect) + 连 (continuous), meaning connected continuously.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal