连续 (lián xù) — Chinese Word

adjective / adverb HSK 4

Traditional 連續

lián xù

continuous · successive · consecutive · in a row

Meaning

连续 describes actions, events, or states that happen one after another without interruption or break. It emphasizes the unbroken nature of a sequence, whether in time or space. The word combines 连 (to connect, link) and 续 (to continue), literally meaning 'linked continuation.'

Usage

连续 commonly appears before verbs to describe repeated actions or before time expressions to indicate consecutive periods. It often collocates with numbers to specify how many times something happens in succession (e.g., 连续三天 'three days in a row'). This word is used in both spoken and written contexts and carries a neutral tone.

Examples

01
他连续工作了十个小时没有休息。
Tā lián xù gōng zuò le shí ge xiǎo shí méi yǒu xiū xi.
He worked continuously for ten hours without rest.
02
这个城市连续三年被评为最宜居城市。
Zhè ge chéng shì lián xù sān nián bèi píng wéi zuì yí jū chéng shì.
This city has been rated the most livable city for three consecutive years.

Characters

Common collocations

连续三天
lián xù sān tiān
three consecutive days
连续剧
lián xù jù
TV series, serial drama
连续不断
lián xù bú duàn
continuously without stop
连续发生
lián xù fā shēng
to occur consecutively

Antonyms

Origin

The word combines 连 (link/connect) with 续 (continue), creating a compound that emphasizes both the connection between elements and their ongoing nature.