zyu1 lin4株連株连
Definition
To implicate other innocent people in a crime; to involve others in a criminal case.
How it's used
Originating from the practice of uprooting a tree by its roots, this term carries a heavy, formal weight that implies a chain reaction of punishment. It is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation unless someone is discussing historical injustice, severe legal consequences, or intense office politics where one person's mistake brings down an entire team. It functions as a strong, almost dramatic verb that highlights the unfairness of collective punishment.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for 'involving' someone, but it specifically refers to the negative, punitive aspect of being dragged into someone else's trouble. Using it to describe simple cooperation or teamwork would sound extremely bizarre and ominous.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
