Definition
连 (lián) as a verb means 'to connect' but is more general than 连接 (lián jiē), which emphasizes a physical or systematic joining. As a preposition, 连 means 'including' (with 在内) or 'even' (in the 连...都/也 pattern) — the latter is a key HSK4 grammar structure. 连同 (lián tóng) is a more formal synonym for 'including'.
verb
to connectto jointo link
preposition
including (used with 在内)even (used with 都/也 in the 连...都/也 pattern)
Easily confused
- 轻qīnglook-alikelight (in weight, not heavy)
- 脸liǎnsound-alikeface
- 追zhuīlook-aliketo chase; to pursue (physically or metaphorically)
- 练liànsound-aliketo practice, to train (a skill)
- 炼liànsound-aliketo refine (skills, writing, etc.)
Examples
- 连。Qǐng bǎ zhè liǎng gè bùfen lián qǐlái.Please connect these two parts.
- 连，。lián zhège zhōumò zài nèi, wǒmen yígòng yǒu wǔ tiān xiūxi.Including this weekend, we have five days of rest in total.
- 连。lián xiǎohái dōu zhīdào zhège dá'àn.Even a child knows this answer.
Grammar
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