相连

• Pinyin: xiāng lián
• Hanzi breakdown: 相 = 木 + 目 (mutual); 连 = 辶 + 车 (cart on a road — connecting by movement)

Meaning

To be connected or linked together; physically joined or conceptually interlinked.

Describes both physical connection — such as roads, waterways, or buildings — and abstract connection — such as fates, interests, or ideas. Common in geography, literature, and formal analytical writing.

Examples

1. 这两座城市之间由一条高速公路紧密相连，极大地便利了区域间的人员往来。 The two cities are tightly connected by an expressway, greatly facilitating travel between the regions.
2. 命运将两个素昧平生的人紧紧相连，演绎出一段令人动容的传奇故事。 Fate bound two complete strangers together, unfolding a moving legendary story.
3. 长江与汉江在武汉交汇，将华中地区的主要水系紧密相连。 The Yangtze and the Han Rivers meet in Wuhan, closely linking the major waterways of central China.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, literature, infrastructure, philosophy

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这条新建的跨海大桥将两座岛屿紧密相连，结束了数十年来的交通不便。(This newly built cross-sea bridge has closely connected the two islands, ending decades of transportation difficulties.)
• 个人命运与国家兴衰紧密相连，这是历史留给我们最深刻的启示之一。(Individual destiny is closely intertwined with the rise and fall of the nation — this is one of the most profound lessons history has left us.)

Don't Say

• 两栋楼相连着 — drop the redundant 着; 相连 is already stative; simply say 两栋楼相连 or 两栋楼紧密相连

Origin & History

相 (mutually) + 连 (link/connect) — linked to each other

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal