连 lián — (surname); even; as; join; to link; successively
他连续三天都迟到了。Tā lián xù sān tiān dōu chí dào le.He was late three days in a row.
Common words: 连续 (lián xù)、连续剧 (lián xù jù)、连忙 (lián máng)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "join"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "join", including 连 (lián), 参 (cān / shēn), 搭 (dā). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "join" covers 3 different Chinese characters — 连 (lián), 参 (cān / shēn), 搭 (dā) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 3 characters do not share a sound — their readings span lián, cān, shēn, dā — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 连 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 连 lián(surname); even; as; join; to link; successivelyUseful words: 连续, 连续剧
- 参 cān / shēntake part in; participate; join; attend; to join; unequalUseful words: 参加, 参观
- 搭 dābuild (scaffolding); take (boat; train); hang; join; matchUseful words: 搭配, 搭档
Common words for these 3 "join" characters
Anchor each of these 3 characters in a word you can picture — start with 连 (lián) — so "join" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
连续lián xùcontinuous; in a row; serial; consecutive连续剧lián xù jùserialized drama; dramatic series; show in parts连忙lián mángpromptly; at once参加cān jiāto participate; to take part; to join参观cān guānto visit (a place, e.g. museum or factory); to tour; to look around参与cān yùto participate (in sth)搭配dā pèito pair up; to match; to arrange in pairs; to add sth into a group搭档dā dàngto cooperate; partner搭乘dā chéngto ride as a passenger; to travel by (car, plane etc)
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 3 ways to say "join".
参 cān / shēn — take part in; participate; join; attend; to join; unequal
我想参加这次比赛。Wǒ xiǎng cān jiā zhè cì bǐ sài.I want to take part in this competition.
Common words: 参加 (cān jiā)、参观 (cān guān)、参与 (cān yù)
搭 dā — build (scaffolding); take (boat; train); hang; join; match
我们一起搭乘公交车去市中心。Wǒ men yì qǐ dā chéng gōng jiāo chē qù shì zhōng xīn.We take the bus together to the city center.
Common words: 搭配 (dā pèi)、搭档 (dā dàng)、搭乘 (dā chéng)
All 3 characters
Open 连、参、搭 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.