Definitions

lián pouch hung from belt

Etymology phono-semantic

cloth

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

(lián) is the simplified form of , a phono-semantic compound. The radical (yī, clothing) signals a connection to garments or textiles, while the right side (lián), simplified from , means "connect" and provides the sound, also suggesting something attached or continuous. The character refers to a traditional pouch or cloth pocket sewn into or worn alongside clothing, and is most commonly encountered in 褡裢 (dālián), a long rectangular bag draped over the shoulder or folded over a belt.