The word "连同" (liántóng) is a compound conjunction formed by combining the characters "连" (lián), meaning "to link" or "even," and "同" (tóng), meaning "together" or "with." It functions as a single lexical unit that signifies "together with," "along with," or "including," and is used to connect a primary subject with an additional, often subsidiary, element that is being included in the action or statement. Unlike simply listing items with "和" (hé, "and"), "连同" often emphasizes the inclusion of the attached element as a combined package or an integral addition, and it frequently pairs with verbs that imply handling, sending, or considering things as a whole.