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noun HSK 5
Traditional 鐵鏈
tiě liàn
iron chain · metal chain

Meaning

铁链 refers to a chain made of iron or metal, consisting of connected metal links. It's used for securing, binding, or connecting objects, and can range from small chains used for locks to heavy industrial chains.

Usage

This word is commonly used in both literal contexts (physical chains for doors, bikes, prisoners) and metaphorical contexts (chains of oppression or bondage). In everyday speech, it often appears when discussing security equipment, industrial machinery, or historical references to imprisonment or slavery.

Examples

  1. 01
    那扇旧门用一条粗铁链锁着。
    Nà shàn jiù mén yòng yī tiáo cū tiě liàn suǒ zhe.
    That old door is locked with a thick iron chain.
  2. 02
    他们终于挣脱了压迫的铁链，获得了自由。
    Tāmen zhōngyú zhèng tuō le yāpò de tiě liàn, huòdé le zìyóu.
    They finally broke free from the chains of oppression and gained freedom.

Characters

Measure words

  • 条tiáo一条铁链
  • 根gēn一根铁链

Common collocations

  • 铁链锁住
    tiě liàn suǒ zhù
    to lock with an iron chain
  • 挣脱铁链
    zhèng tuō tiě liàn
    to break free from chains
  • 粗铁链
    cū tiě liàn
    thick iron chain

Origin

Compound word combining 铁 (iron) and 链 (chain). The character 链 contains the metal radical 钅, indicating its association with metallic objects.

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