Translation guide
The English word 'linking' can refer to connecting things physically, logically, or abstractly. In Japanese, the best translation depends on what is being linked and the nature of the connection. This guide covers common verbs, nouns, and patterns for expressing 'linking' in various contexts.
To physically or logically connect two or more items, such as linking train cars, linking ideas, or linking devices.
A versatile verb meaning 'to connect' or 'to link'. Used for physical connections (e.g., linking hands, linking train cars) and abstract connections (e.g., linking ideas, linking generations).
手をつないで歩いた。
We walked holding hands (linking hands).
この道路は二つの町をつないでいる。
This road links the two towns.
Means 'to tie together' or 'to link closely'. Often used for abstract relationships, such as linking cause and effect, or linking two concepts.
原因と結果を結びつけて考えてください。
Please think about it by linking cause and effect.
A more formal or technical term for 'linking' or 'coupling', often used for mechanical or systematic connections (e.g., linking train cars, linking databases).
車両を連結する。
To link/couple train cars.
To create a clickable link on a webpage or in a document.
The most common and direct way to say 'to link' in a digital context. It is a loanword from English and widely understood.
このページにリンクしてください。
Please link to this page.
Literally 'to put up a link', a common phrase meaning 'to create a hyperlink'.
関連記事にリンクを張っておきます。
I'll link to the related article.
To physically link arms or hold hands with someone.
Means 'to link arms' (literally 'to cross arms'). Used when two people hook their arms together.
彼女と腕を組んで歩いた。
I walked arm in arm (linking arms) with her.
Means 'to hold hands' or 'to link hands'. The most common way to express linking hands.
子供たちは手をつないで輪になった。
The children linked hands and formed a circle.
To connect things in a series, like linking events, linking words, or linking actions.
Means 'to chain' or 'to link in a series'. Often used for events, reactions, or causes that are linked together.
不幸な出来事が連鎖した。
Unfortunate events were linked in a chain.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be connected' or 'to be linked'. Used for things that are naturally linked in a sequence.
これらの事件はつながっている。
These incidents are linked.
つなぐ is the most general and can be used for physical and abstract connections. 結びつける emphasizes a strong or logical tie, often abstract. 連結する is technical and used for mechanical or systematic linking.
手をつなぐ
to hold hands (link hands)
理論と実践を結びつける
to link theory and practice
列車を連結する
to couple/link train cars
The grammatical term 'linking verb' is not directly translated as a verb for 'linking'. Instead, use コピュラ (copula) or describe it as 連結動詞 (れんけつどうし), though this term is not common in everyday Japanese. In most contexts, explaining the concept is better than using a direct translation.