聯 meaning and stroke order
Ally, associate; to connect, to join
How to write 聯, stroke by stroke
17 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 聯
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- (bound form) to ally oneself with; to unite; to combine; to join
- (bound form) (poetry) antithetical couplet
How 聯 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Silk.
絲 gives the meaning.
Radical: 耳 (ear), shared by 34 characters on this site.
How to remember 聯
聯 (lián) puts an ear 耳 next to silk threads 絲. Picture threads tied to an ear, linking it to something else, so the character means to connect or join.
聯 is a bound form, so it appears inside words like 聯繫 (liánxì, contact), 聯合 (liánhé, to unite) and 互聯網 (hùliánwǎng, Internet). In mainland China it is written in simplified form as 联. Example: 我們保持聯繫。(Wǒmen bǎochí liánxì.) Let's keep in touch.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 聯 (lián) with 連 (lián, to link), since both mean connect and share the same sound. 連 is used for physical linking or continuity, as in 連續 (liánxù, continuous). 聯 is used for alliances and contact, as in 聯盟 (liánméng, alliance).
Common words with 聯
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 聯繫 | liánxì | connection; contact | HSK 3 |
| 聯合 | liánhé | to combine; to join | HSK 3 |
| 聯合國 | Liánhéguó | United Nations | HSK 3 |
| 互聯網 | hùliánwǎng | Internet | HSK 3 |
| 聯絡 | liánluò | to get in touch with; to contact | HSK 5 |
| 聯想 | liánxiǎng | to associate (cognitively); to make an associative connection | HSK 5 |
| 聯盟 | liánméng | alliance; union | HSK 6 |
| 關聯 | guānlián | to be related; to be connected; relationship; connection | HSK 6 |
| 聯手 | liánshǒu | lit. to join hands; to act together | HSK 6 |
| 聯賽 | liánsài | (sports) league; league tournament | HSK 6 |
| 聯邦 | liánbāng | federal; federation | HSK 7-9 |
| 聯網 | liánwǎng | to connect (or be connected) to a network; to network | HSK 7-9 |
| 對聯 | duìlián | rhyming couplet; pair of lines of verse written vertically down the sides of a doorway | HSK 7-9 |
| 聯歡 | liánhuān | to have a get-together; celebration | HSK 7-9 |
Questions about 聯
How many strokes are in 聯?
聯 is written with 17 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 聯 mean?
聯 (lián) means ally, associate; to connect, to join. A common word with it is 联系 (liánxì), meaning "connection; contact".
How do you pronounce 聯?
聯 is pronounced lián, in the second tone (rising).
What is the radical of 聯?
The radical of 聯 is 耳, which carries the idea of "ear". Dictionaries list 聯 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 聯?
聯 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 联, used in mainland China and Singapore.
What does 聯 mean in the context of poetry or New Year decorations?
聯 can mean an antithetical couplet, two matching lines of verse. The best known example is 春聯 (chūnlián), the red couplets hung on doorways for Chinese New Year.
Can 聯 be used alone as a verb?
Usually not. In modern Chinese it works as a bound form inside compounds such as 聯絡 (liánluò, to get in touch) or 聯想 (liánxiǎng, to associate ideas). To say 'contact someone,' use 聯繫 or 聯絡 rather than 聯 by itself.