Keywords: guagou, 挂钩, link to, connect with, associated with, tied to, decouple, Chinese economics, Chinese policy, guagou meaning, what is guagou, HSK 6
Summary: The Chinese term `挂钩` (guàgōu) means “to link” or “to be tied to,” describing a strong, often dependent connection between two things. While its literal meaning is “to hang with a hook,” it's most frequently used figuratively in formal contexts like economics, policy, and business to explain how one system is pegged to another (e.g., a salary linked to performance). Understanding `挂钩` is essential for grasping how cause-and-effect relationships are formally structured and discussed in modern China.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): guàgōu
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 6
Concise Definition: To link, connect, or be associated with; to peg one thing to another.
In a Nutshell: Imagine physically hooking two train cars together. The movement of one directly controls the other. That's the essence of `挂钩`. It's not just a casual connection; it's a structural link where the status of one item (like your bonus) is directly determined by another (like the company's profits). It's a formal and powerful word used to describe systems, policies, and consequences.
Character Breakdown
挂 (guà): To hang or suspend. The radical on the left, `扌` (shǒu), is the “hand” radical, indicating an action done with the hand. The right side provides the sound. Together, it vividly portrays the action of hanging something up.
钩 (gōu): A hook. The radical on the left, `钅` (jīn), is the “metal” radical, suggesting the object is often made of metal. The right part, `勾` (gōu), gives the sound and also means “to hook.”
The characters combine to mean “to hang with a hook.” This literal, physical image of a secure fastening is extended to abstract concepts, implying a strong, direct, and often unyielding connection.
Cultural Context and Significance
`挂钩` reflects a systemic and often top-down approach to management and policy common in modern China. It's about creating clear, measurable, and enforceable links between actions and outcomes. For example, linking a local official's promotion prospects directly to their city's environmental protection metrics is a classic use of the `挂钩` concept in governance.
Comparison to Western Concepts: The closest English equivalent is “to peg to” or “to be indexed to,” which is used almost exclusively in finance and economics (e.g., “The currency is pegged to the dollar”). While `挂钩` is used heavily in this same economic context, its application in Chinese is broader. It can be used to describe social associations and personal consequences, sometimes with a negative warning. You wouldn't say in English, “Don't peg yourself to him,” but the Chinese equivalent, `别跟他挂钩`, makes perfect sense. This shows how a technical concept has been adapted for a wider range of social and political discussions.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Economics and Policy (Most Common Usage): This is the primary context for `挂钩`. It's used constantly in news, government reports, and business meetings to describe official links between variables.
Connotation: Formal, neutral, descriptive.
Example: `人民币汇率与美元挂钩。` (The RMB exchange rate is pegged to the US dollar.)
Business and Management: In the corporate world, `挂钩` is the standard term for linking compensation and promotions to performance metrics.
Connotation: Formal, neutral, motivational.
Example: `员工的奖金跟个人业绩直接挂钩。` (Employee bonuses are directly linked to individual performance.)
Social Relationships (Less Common, often a warning): In conversation, it can mean “to associate with” or “get involved with,” usually implying that the association is a bad idea and will have negative consequences.
Connotation: Informal, negative.
Example: `你最好别跟那些人挂钩。` (You'd better not get involved with those people.)
Example Sentences
Example 1:
很多公司的工资都和效益挂钩。
Pinyin: Hěn duō gōngsī de gōngzī dōu hé xiàoyì guàgōu.
English: In many companies, salaries are linked to profits/performance.
Analysis: A classic example of `挂钩` in a business context. It describes a formal system of compensation.
Example 2:
他的晋升与否，直接跟这个项目的成败挂钩。
Pinyin: Tā de jìnshēng yǔfǒu, zhíjiē gēn zhège xiàngmù de chéngbài guàgōu.
English: Whether he gets promoted or not is directly tied to the success or failure of this project.
Analysis: This shows a clear cause-and-effect relationship in a professional setting. The link is direct and consequential.
English: The results of a company's environmental credit rating will be linked to its electricity and water prices.
Analysis: A perfect example of Chinese policy implementation, using economic levers (`挂钩`) to enforce regulations.
Example 10:
美联储的利率决策与通货膨胀率挂钩。
Pinyin: Měiliánchǔ de lìlǜ juécè yǔ tōnghuò péngzhàng lǜ guàgōu.
English: The US Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions are tied to the inflation rate.
Analysis: Shows the term is used universally to describe economic policy, not just within China.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`挂钩` vs. `联系 (liánxì)`: This is the most common point of confusion. `联系` means “to contact” or “to get in touch.” It's about communication. `挂钩` is about a structural or systemic link.
Incorrect: `我明天跟你挂钩。` (I will link with you tomorrow.)
Correct: `我明天跟你联系。` (I will contact you tomorrow.)
`挂钩` vs. `关系 (guānxi)`: `关系` refers to a broad social network, personal connections, and mutual obligations built over time. `挂钩` refers to a specific, functional, and often formally defined link between two variables or entities. Your salary is `挂钩` with performance, but you use your `关系` to find a better job.
Overusing the Literal Meaning: While the word comes from “hang with a hook,” it's almost always used figuratively. To say “hang your coat on the hook,” you would more naturally say `把外套挂在钩子上 (bǎ wàitào guà zài gōuzi shàng)`, not `把外套挂钩`.
Related Terms and Concepts
脱钩 (tuōgōu) - The direct antonym: to decouple, delink, or disconnect. A very important term in recent geopolitical and economic news.
联系 (liánxì) - To contact, get in touch with. Focuses on communication rather than a systemic link.
连接 (liánjiē) - To connect, join. More neutral and often used for physical or technical connections (e.g., connecting to Wi-Fi).
捆绑 (kǔnbǎng) - To bind or tie up. A stronger synonym that often implies a forced or inseparable connection, like in “bundle sales” (`捆绑销售`).
挂 (guà) - To hang. The root verb of the compound word.
钩子 (gōuzi) - A hook. The root noun of the compound word.
业绩 (yèjì) - Performance, achievement. The metric that salaries and bonuses are often `挂钩` with.
指标 (zhǐbiāo) - Index, indicator, target. The formal target that a policy or system is often `挂钩` with.