Meaning
连 is a versatile word that most commonly functions as an intensifying adverb meaning 'even' to emphasize something surprising or extreme. It also serves as a verb meaning 'to connect' or 'to link together,' and can act as a preposition meaning 'including.' The emphasis function is particularly common in spoken Chinese.
Usage
When used as 'even,' 连 typically appears in the pattern 连...都/也... (lián...dōu/yě...) to emphasize that something applies to an extreme or unexpected case. This is one of the most frequent patterns in everyday speech. As a verb meaning 'to connect,' it appears in words like 连接 (liánjiē) and 联系 (liánxì). Native speakers use 连 constantly in conversation to add emphasis.
Examples
- 01他连中文都不会说。.He can't even speak Chinese.
- 02这两个城市用高铁连起来了。.These two cities have been connected by high-speed rail.
Common collocations
- 连...都/也....../...even... (emphatic pattern)
- 连忙promptly, at once
- 连续剧TV series
- 连夜that very night, throughout the night
Antonyms
Origin
The character 连 originally depicted a chariot or vehicle in continuous motion, which led to its meanings of 'continuous,' 'to connect,' and by extension 'even/including.'