联手

• Pinyin: lián shǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 联 = 耳 (ear) + 关, connect; 手 = pictograph of a hand

Meaning

To join hands; to collaborate; to work together toward a common goal.

Emphasizes active cooperation between two or more parties. Common in business and creative contexts: 联手打造 (jointly create), 联手对抗 (join forces against), 强强联手 (powerful entities joining forces). More dynamic than 合作, implying deliberate partnering.

Examples

1. 两位导演联手拍摄了这部跨国合作的大片。 Two directors joined hands to film this international co-production blockbuster.
2. 多家企业联手抵制不正当竞争行为，维护行业秩序。 Multiple companies joined forces to resist unfair competition and maintain industry order.
3. 警方与社区联手开展治安巡逻，犯罪率明显下降。 The police joined hands with the community to conduct security patrols, and the crime rate dropped significantly.

Usage Guide

Context: business, collaboration, news

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 两家公司决定联手开发市场。(The two companies decided to join hands to develop the market.)
• 我们应该联手解决这个问题。(We should work together to solve this problem.)

Don't Say

• 对个人间的普通合作用联手 (联手 implies deliberate, often publicized partnership — for casual cooperation use 一起 or 合作)

Origin & History

Compound of 联 (connect) + 手 (hand). Literally 'joining hands,' an image of cooperation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal