接二连三

• Pinyin: jiē èr lián sān
• Hanzi breakdown: 接 = to connect; 二 = two; 连 = to link, connect; 三 = three — connecting one after another

Meaning

One after another; in quick succession. Happening repeatedly in a continuous sequence.

An idiom describing events occurring repeatedly without pause. Often used for negative events (problems, failures, accidents) but can describe any series of consecutive occurrences. Emphasizes the overwhelming or relentless nature of the sequence.

Examples

1. 最近他接二连三地遇到麻烦，连个喘息的机会都没有。 Recently he has been running into trouble one after another, without even a chance to catch his breath.
2. 工厂接二连三出现质量问题，必须彻底整改。 Quality problems have been appearing in the factory one after another; a thorough overhaul is necessary.
3. 好消息接二连三传来，大家都松了一口气。 Good news came one after another, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Usage Guide

Context: narrative, description, everyday

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 问题接二连三地出现。(Problems appeared one after another.)
• 订单接二连三涌入。(Orders came pouring in one after another.)

Don't Say

• 用'接二连三'形容仅两次的事件 (Don't use 接二连三 for just two occurrences — it implies three or more; use 连续两次 for exactly twice)

Origin & History

Literally 'connecting two, linking three' — one thing follows another, which follows another, creating a continuous chain of events.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal