liánmíng: 联名 - Jointly Signed, Co-branded, Collaboration

Keywords: liánmíng, 联名, Chinese co-branding, brand collaboration, joint petition, co-author, joint signature, what does lianming mean, Chinese marketing, brand crossover, limited edition

Summary: Discover the meaning of 联名 (liánmíng), a versatile Chinese term that translates to “joint name” or “co-branded.” While it traditionally refers to jointly signing a petition or co-authoring a paper, in modern China, 联名 has become a massive cultural and marketing phenomenon, referring to brand collaborations or “collabs” that create huge hype for limited-edition products. This page breaks down its dual meaning, from serious activism to the latest fashion trends.

Pinyin (with tone marks): liánmíng

Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective

HSK Level: N/A

Concise Definition: To put names together on a single document or product; to co-brand.

In a Nutshell: At its heart, 联名 (liánmíng) means “connected names.” Imagine a group of people signing a single letter to their boss—they are connecting their names to show unified strength. Now, apply that same idea to business: when two brands like Nike and Supreme “connect their names” on a sneaker, that's also 联名. It's the go-to word in modern China for any kind of brand collaboration, crossover