connections
connections — 名詞
1. the act of joining two things together or the condition of being joined — for ex
連接；接通
將兩物連接的動作或連通狀態
the act of joining two things together or the condition of being joined — for example, when a cable is plugged into a device or a road links two towns.
The connection of the new printer to the office network took less than five minutes.
新的印表機連接到辦公室網路只花了不到五分鐘。
connection of [item] to [system]
After the earthquake, residents had no phone connection to the outside world.
地震過後，居民失去了對外通訊的電話連接。
phone / internet connection
The bridge provides a direct road connection between the two islands.
這座橋提供了兩座島嶼之間直接的公路連接。
A loose wire was causing a poor electrical connection in the lamp.
一條鬆脫的電線導致檯燈的電氣接觸不良。
The ferry service offers a daily connection across the river.
渡輪每天提供一趟橫跨河面的接駁服務。
- disconnection
the state of being separated or unplugged
文法句型
connection + of + noun
connection + between + plural noun
用法筆記
Frequently used with adjectives that describe quality: a poor / loose / secure / direct connection. The uncountable form ("lack of connection") is common in technical contexts.
常見錯誤
2. a relationship between two or more things, events, or ideas where one influences
關聯；聯繫
事物、事件或想法之間的因果或邏輯關係
a relationship between two or more things, events, or ideas where one influences, causes, or is related to the other — for example, the link between smoking and lung cancer, or between two historical events.
Scientists found a clear connection between air pollution and asthma in children.
科學家發現空氣汙染與兒童氣喘之間有明確的關聯。
connection between [cause] and [effect]
There is a strong connection between regular exercise and better mental health.
規律運動與心理健康之間存在密切的關聯。
strong / clear / direct connection between X and Y
Yumi made the connection between the missing wallet and the stranger who had visited earlier.
Yumi 將遺失的錢包和稍早來訪的陌生人之間產生了聯想。
Historians see a direct connection between the drought and the collapse of the ancient city.
歷史學家認為乾旱與古城的崩潰之間存在直接的關聯。
The two events are completely unrelated — there is no connection between them.
這兩起事件完全不相關——它們之間沒有任何聯繫。
- link
interchangeable in most contexts, slightly less formal
- relationship
broader; can include emotional or social ties
- correlation
more formal and technical; implies statistical association
- gap
a missing link or absence of relationship
文法句型
connection + between + noun + and + noun
no connection between + plural noun
用法筆記
Subject is often a researcher or analyst. The negative form ("no connection between") is common in scientific writing to deny a causal relationship.
常見錯誤
3. a close personal bond such as a family relationship, shared history, or deep fri
親情；淵源
家庭、友誼等親密的情感連結
a close personal bond such as a family relationship, shared history, or deep friendship — for example, the tie between a grandparent and a grandchild, or the bond between childhood friends who have known each other for decades.
Ananya still feels a strong connection to her hometown even though she lives abroad now.
Ananya 即使住在國外，仍然對家鄉有著強烈的情感連結。
connection to a place / person (emotional bond)
Oliver's connection with his grandfather grew much stronger after they started fishing together.
Oliver 和祖父開始一起釣魚之後，兩人的感情變得更加深厚了。
connection with [person] (deepening bond)
The school tries to strengthen its connections with local families and community groups.
學校試圖加強與當地家庭和社區團體之間的聯繫。
Even after ten years apart, the two friends felt their connection had not faded.
即便分開了十年，這兩位朋友覺得他們之間的情誼絲毫沒有減退。
Our family connection goes back three generations — our great-grandparents lived on the same street.
我們兩家的淵源可以追溯到三代以前——我們的曾祖父母住在同一條街上。
- estrangement
the state of being no longer close, especially in a family
文法句型
connection + to + noun
connection + with + noun
connections + between + plural noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 7 (influential contacts), which refers to useful acquaintances rather than genuine personal bonds. This sense emphasises emotional closeness, shared history, or blood relation.
常見錯誤
4. the quality of forming a clear, continuous, and logical whole — used especially
連貫性
文章或論述前後條理連貫的品質
the quality of forming a clear, continuous, and logical whole — used especially when discussing whether the parts of a piece of writing, speech, or argument follow one another in a way that makes sense.
The essay lacked logical connection between its paragraphs, making it hard to follow.
這篇論文的段落之間缺乏邏輯連貫性，讓人難以理解。
logical connection between [parts] for coherence
There was no connection between the first half of the film and the ending.
這部電影的前半段和結局之間沒有任何連貫性。
The speaker jumped from one topic to another with no clear connection at all.
講者從一個主題跳到另一個主題，完全沒有清楚的脈絡。
A good editor ensures that each chapter has a natural connection to the next one.
好的編輯會確保每一章節與下一章之間有自然的銜接。
- coherence
direct synonym; more common in academic writing
- continuity
focuses on flow over time rather than logical fit
- consistency
emphasises sameness or agreement between parts
- disconnection
lack of logical relationship between parts
文法句型
connection + between + noun + and + noun (abstract)
lack of connection
用法筆記
Almost always used in formal contexts about texts, speeches, arguments, or narratives. Typically uncountable — do not write 'a connection' in this sense. The negative form ('no/lack of connection') is especially common.
常見錯誤
5. a part or device that joins two objects, systems, or pieces of equipment so that
連接處；接頭
將兩物接合在一起的零件或裝置
a part or device that joins two objects, systems, or pieces of equipment so that they work together — for example, a pipe joint in a water system, a cable plug in a computer, or a coupling between train carriages.
The plumber checked every connection in the pipe system for signs of a leak.
水電工檢查了水管系統中的每一個接頭，尋找漏水的跡象。
physical parts that join things together
A loose connection in the cable caused the TV picture to flicker on and off.
電纜的接頭鬆脫，導致電視畫面不斷閃爍。
loose / faulty connection
The mechanic examined the hose connection between the engine and the cooling tank.
技師檢查了引擎和冷卻水箱之間的軟管接頭。
The train carriages are held together by strong metal connections at each end.
火車車廂靠兩端堅固的金屬連接器相連。
Nadia checked every cable connection before switching on the new computer.
Nadia 在打開新電腦之前檢查了每一條纜線接口。
文法句型
connection + in + noun
connection + between + noun + and + noun
用法筆記
Often modified by the type of system (cable connection, pipe connection, hose connection) or by a quality adjective (loose, tight, faulty, secure, waterproof).
常見錯誤
6. a scheduled service such as a flight, train, or bus that allows a passenger to c
轉乘；接駁
航班、火車或巴士等交通工具之間的銜接服務
a scheduled service such as a flight, train, or bus that allows a passenger to continue a journey by switching from one vehicle or route to another — for example, a connecting flight from Taipei to Hong Kong, or a train that meets a ferry at the same station.
We missed our train connection in Chicago and had to wait three hours.
我們在芝加哥錯過了轉乘火車，只好等候三個小時。
train / flight / bus connection
The airport offers direct flight connections to over fifty cities across Asia and Europe.
這座機場有直飛航班通往亞洲和歐洲的五十多個城市。
direct connection (no change of vehicle)
Haruto's train connection from Kyoto to Osaka was delayed by ten minutes.
Haruto 從京都到大阪的轉乘火車延誤了十分鐘。
The bus connection from the village to the nearest town runs only twice a day.
從山村到最近城鎮的接駁巴士每天只開兩趟。
Passengers travelling to Penang should check their ferry connection times at the counter.
前往檳城的旅客請到櫃檯確認渡輪的接駁時間。
文法句型
connection + to + place
connection + from + place + to + place
用法筆記
Typically used with verbs like 'catch', 'miss', 'make' (e.g. 'make the connection' = arrive in time). The adjective 'direct' means no change of vehicle is needed. Distinguish from sense 1 (ACT OF CONNECTING), which focuses on the physical joining of things.
常見錯誤
7. people you know socially, through family, or professionally who have power, stat
人脈
有權勢的個人社交網絡
people you know socially, through family, or professionally who have power, status, or influence in business, politics, or society and can help you achieve your goals.
With her father's connections in publishing, Paloma got an interview at a major magazine.
靠父親在出版界的人脈，Paloma 獲得了一家主流雜誌的面試機會。
possessive 's + connections: family connections
The senator used his political connections to secure funding for the local hospital.
那位參議員利用自己的政治人脈為當地醫院爭取到了經費。
collocation: political connections
After years in the industry, Kwame built a wide network of connections across Southeast Asia.
在業界打拼多年後，Kwame 在東南亞建立了廣泛的人脈網絡。
Rania's connections among local business owners helped her find investors for her café.
Rania 在本地商家之間的人脈幫助她為自己的咖啡館找到了投資人。
Without the right connections, it can be very hard to start a career in fashion.
沒有人脈的話，想在時尚界開展職業生涯會非常困難。
文法句型
connections + prepositional phrase (in/among/within)
用法筆記
Distinguish from idiom/1 (the same-word phrase 'connections'). This noun sense refers to individual influential people in a network, while idiom/1 emphasises the transactional act of using those people as a resource to obtain something specific (a job, a place, a deal). Noun/7 also contrasts with sense 8, which describes institutional or organisational ties between groups rather than individual powerful contacts.
常見錯誤
8. formal links between organizations, companies, or government bodies that create
組織聯繫
機構之間的合作關係
formal links between organizations, companies, or government bodies that create opportunities for cooperation, trade, or advancement — for example, a university's ties with technology firms that lead to student internships, or a company's relationship with local officials that speeds up permits.
The university strengthened its connections with local technology companies to create more internships.
該大學加強了與當地科技公司的組織聯繫，以創造更多實習機會。
collocation: strengthen connections with [organization]
Good connections between the research institute and the hospital led to faster drug trials.
研究機構與醫院之間良好的組織聯繫加速了藥物試驗的進程。
pattern: connections between [org] and [org]
The port authority built direct shipping connections with three major Asian trade hubs.
港務局與三個亞洲主要貿易中心建立了直接的航運聯繫。
The museum established cultural connections with galleries in Europe and South America.
該博物館與歐洲和南美洲的藝廊建立了文化聯繫。
The trade agreement strengthened commercial connections between the two countries.
該貿易協定加強了兩國之間的商業聯繫。
文法句型
connections between [organization] and [organization]
strengthen connections with [entity]
用法筆記
This sense contrasts with sense 7 (individual influential people). Sense 8 focuses on formal, often contractual or official links between collective entities — companies, universities, governments, trade bodies — rather than individual personal contacts. The subjects and objects are typically organizations, not people.
常見錯誤
9. a job or position that you are offered because someone you know recommends you,
走後門
靠人脈取得的職位
a job or position that you are offered because someone you know recommends you, rather than through a standard hiring process.
Padma's first city job was a connection from a family friend at the firm.
Padma 在城裡的第一份工作是靠一位在該公司上班的世交走後門得來的。
pattern: be a connection from [someone]
Tyler refused two connections after college and applied for jobs through regular interviews instead.
Tyler 大學畢業後拒絕了兩個走後門的工作機會，堅持透過正常面試求職。
The assistant job Ilan got was a connection from a film-industry family friend.
Ilan 得到的助理工作是靠一位在電影圈工作的世交走後門安排來的。
Some people view a connection as less valuable than a role earned through open competition.
有些人認為走後門得來的工作不如透過公開競爭取得的職位有價值。
Sari's law firm role was a pure connection — Sari did not apply.
Sari 在法律事務所的職位純粹是走後門 — Sari 根本沒去應徵。
- referral
more neutral; does not carry the same implication of unfair advantage
文法句型
be a connection
connection from [someone]
用法筆記
When used with this meaning, 'connection' is often paired with a possessive or the article 'a' and refers to a specific job or role obtained through personal contacts.
10. a person who sells illegal drugs or supplies other unlawful goods to buyers.
藥頭
非法藥物供應者
a person who sells illegal drugs or supplies other unlawful goods to buyers.
The police arrested the main connection who had been selling heroin in the neighborhood.
警方逮捕了那名在社區裡販賣海洛因的主要藥頭。
the + noun: the main connection
Detectives traced the phone calls back to a connection operating across the state border.
刑警循著通話記錄追查到了一名跨越州界交易的藥頭。
Esme's brother owed money to his connection and could not pay what he owed.
Esme 的哥哥欠了他的藥頭錢，而且還不出來。
An undercover officer posed as a new connection looking to sell cocaine at a club.
一名臥底警員假扮成新來的藥頭，打算在某家夜店銷售古柯鹼。
The documentary showed how young people in the city first meet a drug connection.
這部紀錄片呈現了都市裡的年輕人最初是如何接觸到藥頭的。
文法句型
the/one's + connection (as drug supplier)
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in the context of illegal activities. In everyday conversation, 'dealer' or 'supplier' is more common.
11. a group of people who share a particular set of beliefs, religious views, or fam
宗派
因信仰或血緣形成的群體
a group of people who share a particular set of beliefs, religious views, or family background, forming a distinct community.
The old church split into two separate connections after a conflict over leadership.
那間老教會因領導權之爭分裂成了兩個不同的宗派。
collocation: split into connections
Members of that religious connection gather every Sunday in a small hall near the market.
那個宗教宗派的成員每週日在市場附近的一個小禮堂聚會。
The marriage united two powerful connections from different regions of the country.
這場聯姻將國內兩個不同地區的強大宗派聯合了起來。
Historians trace this connection to a group of settlers who arrived in the 1700s.
歷史學家將這個宗派的起源追溯到一群在十八世紀抵達的移民。
Each connection in the region has its own leaders but shares the same core values.
該地區的每個宗派都有自己的領袖，但他們信奉相同的核心價值。
- denomination
specifically a religious subgroup; more common
- sect
often implies a smaller or more extreme group
- clan
emphasizes family-based ties rather than shared beliefs
文法句型
split into connections
trace [a/the] connection to
用法筆記
This sense is uncommon in everyday speech and appears mainly in formal writing about religious history, anthropology, or clan-based societies.
connections — 慣用語
1. the helpful acquaintances in your social or professional circle who can pull str
門路
走後門的人際管道
the helpful acquaintances in your social or professional circle who can pull strings behind the scenes — passing your CV to a hiring manager, recommending you for a promotion, or getting your child into a selective school — when the normal application process would not be enough.
Megan got her first film job through family connections in the movie business.
Megan 靠家族在影視圈的門路得到了她的第一部電影工作。
through family connections + domain
Without political connections, it is almost impossible to start a business there.
沒有門路的話，在那邊做生意幾乎是不可能的。
Liam used his connections at the university to get funding for the new lab.
Liam 利用他在大學的門路為新實驗室爭取到了經費。
Diego's connections in the music industry helped his band get a record deal.
Diego 在音樂界的門路幫助他的樂團拿到了唱片合約。
Tara's connections at the publishing house helped her sell her first novel.
Tara 在出版社的門路幫助她賣出了第一本小說。
- contacts
more neutral and less focused on power or influence; 'contacts' can simply mean people you know, while 'connections' implies they can do something for you.
- network
more structured and deliberate; 'network' suggests an organized group you actively maintain, whereas 'connections' can be looser or inherited.
- ties
emphasizes personal or family bonds, especially to a particular place or institution; 'ties' is warmer and less transactional than 'connections'.
文法句型
have connections
use (your) connections
through connections
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 7 (INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE). Noun sense 7 refers to the individuals themselves — 'her father had connections in publishing' = she knew influential editors. The idiom 'connections' as a phrase emphasises the instrumental act of using those people as a resource to get a concrete benefit. Key diagnostic: idiom/1 typically appears in constructions like 'through connections', 'use (one's) connections', or 'have connections' with no determiner and an implied goal. If the sentence focuses on describing WHO the people are rather than WHAT they can get you, use noun/7 instead.