联 (lián) is a Chinese character meaning “to join”. It is written from 耳 (ear) and 关 (to close; to shut; a pass or barrier), side by side, and takes 12 strokes.
Build the character for “to join”
Four steps: break it apart, build it, recall it, use it in a word.
StartLearn this character
Structure
耳 + 关
Left–right structure
Structure from: 说文解字: 聯，連也。从耳，耳連於頰也；从絲，絲連不絕也。简化字右旁作「关」；现代字形拆分依 IDS ⿰耳关 并对照 hanzi-writer-data 笔画核验
Memory aid
Press your ear (耳) against a closed door (关) to stay connected with the people on the other side — 联 means to join, to link up.
This is a memory aid, not the historical origin.
Stroke order
12 strokes
In real words
- 联系lián xìto contact; to get in touch; connection联 = lián
- 联络lián luòto contact; to get in touch with联 = lián
- 互联网hù lián wǎngthe Internet联 = lián
- 联姻lián yīnto be allied by marriage; (fig.) alliance联 = lián
Go deeper
All readings
to join; to unite
to join; to connect; to unite; to ally with
连接；结合；联合在一起。 — studyhanzi 编写
Words with this reading
- 联系lián xìto contact; to get in touch; connection联 = lián
- 联络lián luòto contact; to get in touch with联 = lián
- 互联网hù lián wǎngthe Internet联 = lián
- 联姻lián yīnto be allied by marriage; (fig.) alliance联 = lián
Stroke data: hanzi-writer-data (Arphic Public License) · licenses & attributions
Questions people ask about this character
What does 联 mean?
联 (lián) means to join; to connect; to unite; to ally with.
How do you pronounce 联?
It is pronounced lián.
What parts is 联 made of?
耳 (ear) and 关 (to close; to shut; a pass or barrier), side by side. The recorded source is: 说文解字: 聯，連也。从耳，耳連於頰也；从絲，絲連不絕也。简化字右旁作「关」；现代字形拆分依 IDS ⿰耳关 并对照 hanzi-writer-data 笔画核验. Components are the building blocks of the shape; the radical used for dictionary lookup is a separate thing.
How many strokes does 联 have?
12. You can watch the stroke order on this page, or trace it yourself.
What is the radical of 联?
耳. The radical is how the character is filed in a dictionary — it is not the whole story of how the character is built.
What words use 联?
Common ones are 联系, 联络, 互联网. The reading of 联 is not the same in every word, so each word on this page shows which reading applies.