Meaning
The kanji 連 (REN) is a key character in Japanese, primarily conveying ideas of linking, connecting, continuing, and accompanying. It also implies being part of a group or party. Grasping this core concept is crucial for understanding its diverse uses in compound words.
The character's origin and visual composition offer clear insight into its meaning. 連 is composed of two main parts: 辶 (しんにょう), the 'road' or 'movement' radical, and 車 (くるま), meaning 'cart' or 'vehicle'. Imagine a procession of carts or vehicles moving along a road, one after another, all linked together. This vivid image directly illustrates the meaning of 'connecting,' 'following continuously,' or 'accompanying' others. While not a pure pictograph, 連 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The radical 辶 provides the meaning of 'movement' or 'path,' and 車 originally served as a phonetic clue while also suggesting connected objects.
With a stroke count of 10, 連 is taught in the 4th grade in Japanese elementary schools. This reflects its relatively early introduction and frequent use in everyday Japanese.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi reading for 連 is レン (REN). This is an extremely common reading, appearing in countless kanji compounds. You'll find it especially when 連 signifies connection, continuity, or relatedness. It often serves as the first element in a compound, but can also appear as the second or third, consistently conveying its core meaning of linking or continuing.
- 連絡 (renraku) — contact, communication. This is one of the most frequently used words, meaning to get in touch with someone, as in 連絡を取る (renraku o toru - to make contact).
- 連続 (renzoku) — continuous, consecutive. Used to describe things happening without interruption, like 連続ドラマ (renzoku dorama - TV series) or 連続記録 (renzoku kiroku - continuous record).
- 関連 (kanren) — relation, connection. Often used to talk about things being related or associated with each other, such as 関連情報 (kanren jōhō - related information).
- 連日 (renjitsu) — day after day, continuous days. Describes something occurring on consecutive days, for example, 連日雨が降る (renjitsu ame ga furu - it rains day after day).
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings of 連 are typically found in native Japanese verbs. They convey a more direct action or state related to linking or accompanying.
つら.なる (tsura.naru) — This is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be lined up,' 'to be connected,' or 'to form a line.' It describes a state where things are naturally connected or arranged in a row.
列になる (retsu ni tsuranaru hitobito) — People lining up in a queue.
山脈になる (sanmyaku ni tsuranaru minemine) — Peaks connected in a mountain range.
つら.ねる (tsura.neru) — This is a transitive verb meaning 'to line up,' 'to arrange in a row,' or 'to connect.' It implies an active effort to connect or arrange things.
名前をねる (namae o tsuraneru) — To list names, to arrange names in a row.
詩をねる (shi o tsuraneru) — To compose a series of poems.
つ.れる (tsu.reru) — This is a transitive verb meaning 'to take (someone) with,' 'to lead,' or 'to accompany.' It's very commonly used in everyday conversation.
友達を (tomodachi o tsurete iku) — To go with a friend.
犬を (inu o tsurete sanpo suru) — To take the dog for a walk.
Common Words & Compounds
Below are some common compound words and phrases that use 連, categorized by their primary meaning to help you learn and remember them:
Communication & Connection
- 連絡 (renraku) — Contact, communication. (e.g., 連絡を取る - to make contact)
- 関連 (kanren) — Relation, connection, association. (e.g., 関連情報 - related information)
- 連携 (renkei) — Cooperation, coordination, link-up. (e.g., チーム連携 - team coordination)
- 連結 (renketsu) — Connection, linking, coupling. (e.g., 電車の - coupling of train cars)
Continuity & Series
- 連続 (renzoku) — Continuous, consecutive. (e.g., 連続ドラマ - TV series)
- 連日 (renjitsu) — Day after day, continuous days. (e.g., 連日雨が降る - it rains day after day)
- 連休 (renkyū) — Consecutive holidays, long weekend. (e.g., ゴールデンウィークは連休です - Golden Week is a long holiday.)
- 連載 (rensai) — Serialization (e.g., 小説の - serialization of a novel)
Accompanying & Group
- 連れる (tsureru) — To take (someone) with, to lead. (e.g., 家族を - to take one's family along)
- 連合 (rengō) — Union, league, federation. (e.g., 労働組合連合 - labor union federation)
- 国連 (kokuren) — United Nations. (Short for 国際連合 - Kokusai Rengō)
- 連隊 (rentai) — Regiment (military unit).
Other Uses
- 連帯 (rentai) — Solidarity, joint (responsibility). (e.g., 連帯責任 - joint responsibility)
- 連敗 (renpai) — Series of defeats, successive losses. (e.g., ３連敗 - three consecutive losses)
- 連勝 (renshō) — Series of victories, successive wins. (e.g., ５連勝 - five consecutive wins)
Example Sentences
友達を連れて映画を見にきました。
Tomodachi o tsurete eiga o mi ni ikimashita.
I went to see a movie with a friend.
先生に連絡するのを忘れてしまいました。
Sensei ni renraku suru no o wasurete shimaimashita.
I forgot to contact the teacher.
この事件は昨年の事件と関連しています。
Kono jiken wa sakunen no jiken to kanren shiteimasu.
This incident is related to last year's incident.
彼女は３連日テストで高得点を取った。
Kanojo wa san-renjitsu tesuto de kōtokuten o totta.
She scored high marks on the test three days in a row.
駅の前にはタクシーが連なっていました。
Eki no mae ni wa takushī ga tsuranatte imashita.
Taxis were lined up in front of the station.
この地域の学校は地域と密接に
Kono chiiki no gakkō wa chiiki to missetsu ni renkei shiteimasu.
The schools in this area cooperate closely with the community.
国連は世界の平和のために活動しています。
Kokuren wa sekai no heiwa no tame ni katsudō shiteimasu.
The United Nations is working for world peace.
３連休なので、家族と旅行にく
San-renkyū na node, kazoku to ryokō ni iku yotei desu.
Since it's a three-day weekend, I plan to go on a trip with my family.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 連, visualize its components: 辶 (the 'road' or 'movement' radical) and 車 (a 'cart' or 'vehicle'). Picture a long line of carts or wagons moving continuously down a road, one after the other. They are all linked together, forming a procession. This image clearly connects the 'movement' (辶) and 'vehicles' (車) to the core meanings of 'linking,' 'connecting,' 'continuing,' and 'accompanying' others on a journey.