Meaning of 连续
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- continuous
- in a row
- serial
- consecutive
How to use 连续
连续 usually comes before a number and a time word or a verb to say something happened several times in a row. Example: 他连续三天迟到了。(Tā liánxù sān tiān chídào le.) He was late three days in a row. It also appears in set words like 连续剧 (liánxùjù), a TV series.
连 (lián) means to link or connect, and 续 (xù) means to continue, so 连续 is things linked one after another without a break. Picture a chain where each link joins the next.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 连续 with 继续 (jìxù). 连续 describes an unbroken run, as in 连续下雨 (raining nonstop), while 继续 means to carry on after a pause, as in 继续工作 (keep working). You cannot say 连续工作吧 to mean "let's keep working."
连续 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
连 lián · to link · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
续 xù · to continue · 11 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
Related words
Words that share a character with 连续.
| 继续 | jìxù | to continue; to proceed with; to go on with |
| 持续 | chíxù | to continue; to last; to persist |
| 手续 | shǒuxù | procedure; formalities |
| 连续剧 | liánxùjù | TV series |
| 连忙 | liánmáng | promptly; at once |
| 延续 | yánxù | to continue; to go on |
| 陆续 | lùxù | in turn; successively |
| 连接 | liánjiē | to link; to join; to connect |
| 接连 | jiēlián | on end; in a row |
| 手续费 | shǒuxùfèi | service charge; processing fee |
| 相连 | xiānglián | to link; to join |
| 一连串 | yīliánchuàn | a succession of; a series of |
Questions about 连续
What does 连续 mean?
连续 (liánxù) means "continuous; in a row" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 连续?
连续 is made of 2 characters: 连 (7 strokes), 续 (11 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 连续 an HSK word?
Yes. 连续 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 连续 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 连续 is written 連續.
What is the difference between 连续 and 持续?
连续 stresses a series of separate events or units happening back to back, like 连续三次 (three times in a row). 持续 (chíxù) stresses one state lasting over time, like 持续高温 (sustained high temperatures).
Can 连续 be used without a number?
Yes. You can say 连续工作 (work without a break) or 连续下雨 (rain continuously). Adding a number and measure word, as in 连续五个小时, makes the length of the run clear.