even; to connect; in a row
HSK level
连 is written with 7 strokes. The animation replays automatically.
连 (lián) has two main jobs.
As a verb it means 'to connect, link, join' — 连起来 (join together), 连接 (to connect). As a preposition/adverb it means 'even,' used in the emphatic pattern 连…都/也… to spotlight an extreme or surprising case: 连小孩都懂 (even a child understands), 他连饭都没吃 (he didn't even eat). This 'even' use is what HSK 4 learners most need: 连 introduces the surprising element and 都 or 也 follows the subject.
It also means 'in a row / continuously,' as in 连续 (consecutive) or 连三天 (three days running). English uses 'even' as a standalone adverb, but Chinese almost always pairs 连 with a following 都/也 — dropping that partner makes the sentence sound incomplete to a native ear.
Note: Common in both speech and writing. The emphatic 'even' pattern (连…都/也) is especially frequent in spoken Chinese to stress how extreme a case is.
他连一句话都没说就走了。
Tā lián yí jù huà dōu méi shuō jiù zǒu le.
He left without even saying a word.
spoken
这道题连老师都不会。
Zhè dào tí lián lǎoshī dōu bú huì.
Even the teacher can't do this problem.
spoken
请把这两根线连起来。
Qǐng bǎ zhè liǎng gēn xiàn lián qǐlái.
Please connect these two wires.
neutral
他连着工作了三天。
Tā liánzhe gōngzuò le sān tiān.
He worked three days in a row.
neutral
联 (lián) also means 'to unite / connect' but appears in abstract compounds like 联系 (contact) and 联合 (to unite). 连 is more concrete: physically linking things, or the emphatic 'even.'
练 (liàn, fourth tone) means 'to practice / train.' 连 (lián, second tone) means 'to connect / even.' Different tone and meaning.
Acquire it by listening
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