liànjiē: 链接 - Link, Connection, To Link

• Keywords: liànjiē, 链接, Chinese for link, hyperlink in Chinese, URL in Chinese, to connect, to link, Chinese internet vocabulary, Chinese tech terms, send a link in Chinese
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 链接 (liànjiē), which means “link” or “to connect.” Primarily used in the digital world to refer to a hyperlink or URL, this term is fundamental for navigating the modern Chinese internet, from sharing articles on WeChat to shopping on Taobao. This guide will break down its characters, cultural context in China's digital ecosystem, and provide practical examples to help you use it like a native.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): liànjiē
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: A link or connection (especially a hyperlink); to link or connect things together.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 链接 (liànjiē) as the direct equivalent of the English word “link” in the age of the internet. While it can refer to a physical connection, 99% of the time you hear it, it refers to a clickable hyperlink that takes you to a webpage, a product, or a file. It's the digital thread that ties the Chinese internet together.

• 链 (liàn): This character means “chain.” The radical on the left, 钅(jīn), is the “metal” radical, evoking the image of a physical, metal chain.
• 接 (jiē): This character means “to connect,” “to join,” or “to receive.” The radical on the left, 扌(shǒu), is the “hand” radical, suggesting the action of joining two things together by hand.

When combined, 链接 (liànjiē) literally means “to connect with a chain.” This is a perfect metaphor for what a hyperlink does: it creates a strong, direct connection from one digital location to another, just as a chain links two physical objects.

While “link” in English is a purely functional term, 链接 (liànjiē) operates within the unique context of China's internet ecosystem. Unlike the relatively open “web” in the West, the Chinese internet is often described as a series of “walled gardens” dominated by super-apps like WeChat (微信) and Alibaba's platforms. This has a direct impact on how `链接`s behave. For example, WeChat has historically blocked `链接`s from its rival Alibaba's shopping sites (like Taobao), forcing users to use cumbersome workarounds. Therefore, the ability to share a `链接` is not always a given. It can be a reflection of corporate strategy and competition. Understanding `链接` isn't just about knowing the word; it's about understanding that the digital connections themselves can be controlled and curated, a stark contrast to the Western ideal of a universally interconnected internet. This control is also political, as links to foreign news sites or sensitive topics are often inaccessible due to the “Great Firewall” (防火长城).

链接 (liànjiē) is an extremely common, everyday word in modern China.

• As a Noun (the link itself): This is its most frequent use. People constantly ask for, send, and click on links.
  • On WeChat: “发个链接给我” (fā ge liànjiē gěi wǒ) - “Send me the link.”
  • E-commerce: On platforms like Taobao, every product has a “宝贝链接” (bǎobèi liànjiē) or “product link.”
  • Social Media: Influencers will often say “链接在评论区” (liànjiē zài pínglùn qū) - “The link is in the comments section.”
• As a Verb (to connect things): This usage is more formal, technical, or abstract.
  • In IT: “我们需要把服务器链接到数据库。” (Wǒmen xūyào bǎ fúwùqì liànjiē dào shùjùkù.) - “We need to link the server to the database.”
  • In writing/logic: “这两起事件之间存在着一个链接。” (Zhè liǎng qǐ shìjiàn zhījiān cúnzài zhe yí ge liànjiē.) - “There exists a link/connection between these two incidents.”

• Example 1:
  • 你能把那个商品的链接发给我吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bǎ nàge shāngpǐn de liànjiē fā gěi wǒ ma?
  • English: Can you send me the link to that product?
  • Analysis: A highly common and practical sentence used when online shopping with friends. “发 (fā)” means “to send.”
• Example 2:
  • 请点击下面的链接完成注册。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng diǎnjī xiàmiàn de liànjiē wánchéng zhùcè.
  • English: Please click the link below to complete your registration.
  • Analysis: A formal instruction you would see on a website. “点击 (diǎnjī)” means “to click.”
• Example 3:
  • 这个链接好像是无效的，打不开了。
  • Pinyin: Zhège liànjiē hǎoxiàng shì wúxiào de, dǎ bù kāi le.
  • English: This link seems to be invalid; it won't open.
  • Analysis: A very useful phrase for troubleshooting. “打不开 (dǎ bù kāi)” is a common way to say something (an app, a file, a link) won't open.
• Example 4:
  • 我把这篇文章的链接分享到朋友圈了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bǎ zhè piān wénzhāng de liànjiē fēnxiǎng dào péngyǒuquān le.
  • English: I shared the link to this article on my WeChat Moments.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates its use in the context of Chinese social media. “朋友圈 (péngyǒuquān)” is the WeChat “Moments” feature, similar to a Facebook timeline.
• Example 5:
  • 老师，这个下载链接过期了。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī, zhège xiàzài liànjiē guòqī le.
  • English: Teacher, this download link has expired.
  • Analysis: A practical sentence for students or anyone dealing with file sharing. “过期 (guòqī)” means “to expire.”
• Example 6:
  • 他们的系统无法链接到我们的数据库。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de xìtǒng wúfǎ liànjiē dào wǒmen de shùjùkù.
  • English: Their system cannot link to our database.
  • Analysis: An example of `链接` used as a verb in a technical, IT context. “无法 (wúfǎ)” is a formal way to say “cannot.”
• Example 7:
  • 你只需要复制这个链接，然后在浏览器里粘贴。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhǐ xūyào fùzhì zhège liànjiē, ránhòu zài liúlǎnqì lǐ zhāntiē.
  • English: You just need to copy this link and then paste it in your browser.
  • Analysis: This sentence includes other key internet vocabulary: “复制 (fùzhì)” - to copy, and “粘贴 (zhāntiē)” - to paste.
• Example 8:
  • 这两起看似无关的案件之间，警方找到了一个关键链接。
  • Pinyin: Zhè liǎng qǐ kànsì wúguān de ànjiàn zhījiān, jǐngfāng zhǎodào le yí ge guānjiàn liànjiē.
  • English: The police found a key link between these two seemingly unrelated cases.
  • Analysis: This shows the more abstract, metaphorical use of `链接` to mean a logical or narrative connection.
• Example 9:
  • 主播说“一号链接”就是这个产品。
  • Pinyin: Zhǔbō shuō “yī hào liànjiē” jiùshì zhège chǎnpǐn.
  • English: The livestreamer said “link number one” is this product.
  • Analysis: A classic example from the world of Chinese live-stream shopping, where hosts direct viewers to numbered links to buy products.
• Example 10:
  • 这条新的跨海大桥将两个城市链接了起来。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tiáo xīn de kuà hǎi dàqiáo jiāng liǎng ge chéngshì liànjiē le qǐlái.
  • English: This new cross-sea bridge linked the two cities together.
  • Analysis: A clear example of `链接` being used as a verb for a major, physical connection.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 链接 (liànjiē) with 联系 (liánxì).

• 链接 (liànjiē): For linking things (web pages, data, physical objects, ideas).
• 联系 (liánxì): For contacting people or describing a relationship between people.

It's a “thing vs. person” distinction.

• Incorrect: 我晚上会链接你。(Wǒ wǎnshang huì liànjiē nǐ.)
• Why it's wrong: This literally means “I will hyperlink you tonight” or “I will chain-connect you tonight,” which is nonsensical and slightly creepy.
• Correct: 我晚上会联系你。(Wǒ wǎnshang huì liánxì nǐ.) - “I will contact you tonight.”

Similarly, don't confuse `链接` with `关系 (guānxi)`. A `链接` is a simple, direct connection, whereas `关系` is a deep, complex social relationship or network.

• 网址 (wǎngzhǐ) - URL, web address. A `链接` is the clickable text that *contains* a `网址`.
• 点击 (diǎnjī) - To click. This is the action you perform on a `链接`.
• 分享 (fēnxiǎng) - To share. What you do with a `链接` you find interesting.
• 复制 (fùzhì) - To copy. A common action performed on a `链接`.
• 粘贴 (zhāntiē) - To paste. What you do after you copy a `链接`.
• 下载 (xiàzài) - To download. Often the purpose of clicking a specific type of `链接`.
• 联系 (liánxì) - To contact (people). The social equivalent of linking; a crucial distinction to learn.
• 互联网 (hùliánwǎng) - The Internet. The vast network where all digital `链接`s exist.
• 二维码 (èrwéimǎ) - QR code. Essentially a visual, scannable `链接`, extremely popular in China for everything from payments to adding friends.
• 断开 (duànkāi) - To disconnect. The antonym of `链接` in a technical or physical sense.