链

鏈

liàn

连 + 钅

Definitions

liàn (noun) chain; cable

liàn (verb) to chain; to enchain

Etymology

Metal 钅 that joins 连; 连 also provides the pronunciation

About

链 (traditional 鏈) is a phono-semantic compound: the metal radical 钅 indicates the material category, while 连 means 'join' and supplies the pronunciation. The character neatly blends the ideas of metal and linking. It denotes a chain, interlocked metal rings forming a flexible, strong tool for binding, pulling, or securing, and extends figuratively to any connected sequence, such as a supply chain, a chain of events, or a digital hyperlink.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这条项链很漂亮。

Zhè tiáo xiàngliàn hěn piàoliang.

This necklace is very beautiful.

自行车链条需要润滑。

Zìxíngchē liàntiáo xūyào rùnhuá.

The bicycle chain needs lubrication.

请点击这个链接。

Qǐng diǎnjī zhège liànjiē.

Please click this link.

这家公司是连锁企业。

Zhè jiā gōngsī shì liǎnsuǒ qǐyè.

This company is a chain enterprise.

产业链的优化很重要。

Chǎnyè liàn de yōuhuà hěn zhòngyào.

The optimization of the industrial chain is important.

区块链技术正在发展。

Qūkuài liàn jìshù zhèngzài fāzhǎn.

Blockchain technology is developing.

供应链管理影响效率。

Gōngyìng liàn guǎnlǐ yǐngxiǎng xiàolǜ.

Supply chain management affects efficiency.

这些事件构成因果链。

Zhèxiē shìjiàn gòuchéng yīnguǒ liàn.

These events form a chain of causality.

Related Characters

Component: 连

Component: 钅

链