连
lián
To connect, even
连 (lián) — combined actions and objects
连 (lián) + A + 带 (dài) + B (parallel verbs or nouns)
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
连Noun带Noun
Rule structure
连 (lián)A带 (dài)B combines actions or objects. With verbs it means “doing both A and B”: 连说带笑 (lián shuō dài xiào), “talking and laughing”. With nouns it means “together with, including”: 连本带利 (lián běn dài lì), “the principal together with the interest”. The combinations are generally established expressions, not freely assembled from arbitrary words.
Rule structure
连 (lián)A带 (dài)B combines actions or objects. With verbs it means “doing both A and B”: 连说带笑 (lián shuō dài xiào), “talking and laughing”. With nouns it means “together with, including”: 连本带利 (lián běn dài lì), “the principal together with the interest”. The combinations are generally established expressions, not freely assembled from arbitrary words.
Examples
他连说带笑地走进来。
Tā liánshuō-dàixiào de zǒu jìn lái.
He came in talking and laughing at the same time.
Examples
他连说带笑地走进来。
Tā liánshuō-dàixiào de zǒu jìn lái.
He came in talking and laughing at the same time.
Try this rule
Two short exercises: see how the rule works in a dialogue and in a sentence. No sign-up needed.
Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “combined actions and objects” in Chinese with 连?
Use the structure: 连 (lián) + A + 带 (dài) + B (parallel verbs or nouns). For example: 他连说带笑地走进来。 — “He came in talking and laughing at the same time”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他连说带笑地走进来。 — “He came in talking and laughing at the same time”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
Tomyo
Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
动不动 就 — at the slightest thing, just
Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb
仅次于 — second only to
Subj. + 仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) + X
个 — casual small action
Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun
除外 — except for, excluding
Noun + 除外 (chúwài)
不亚于 — no worse than
Subject + 不亚于 (bú yà yú) + Noun
可不 — enthusiastic agreement
可不 (kě bu) / 可不是嘛 (kě bú shì ma) — a standalone confirming reply
说到哪儿去了 — polite reply to praise
说到哪儿去了 (shuō dào nǎr qù le) — a standalone polite reply
非 — neither A nor B
非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. A + 非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. B