Doing Both at Once: 连A带B
连A带B
Use the 连A带B pattern to describe doing two related actions simultaneously or combining two elements
A and B are monosyllabic verbs or adjectives that are related, synonymous, or represent complementary actions. The pattern means "both A-ing and B-ing" simultaneously, often conveying energy, intensity, or comprehensiveness.
连 means "linking/including" and 带 means "bringing along." Together they create the sense of "A along with B" happening at the same time. The pattern often describes vigorous or emotional actions (连哭带闹, 连跑带跳). A and B can be synonyms (哭/闹) or complementary actions (说/笑).
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Doing Both at Once: 连A带B (连A带B)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 连A带B pattern
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Understanding 连A带B
The 连A带B pattern is a wonderfully vivid construction used to describe two things happening at the same time, typically with energy, enthusiasm, or emotional intensity. When a child is described as 连哭带叫 (crying and yelling at the same time), we immediately picture the frantic scene. When someone receives good news and goes 连蹦带跳 (bouncing and jumping), we feel their irrepressible joy. This pattern differs from simply listing two actions with 又…又… because it emphasizes the simultaneity and the intertwined nature of the two actions. The actions are not just co-occurring — they are feeding off each other. It is highly colloquial and adds dynamic energy to descriptions.
Key Points
- 连A带B means "A-ing and B-ing at the same time," emphasizing simultaneous, intertwined actions.
- A and B are monosyllabic and semantically related (synonyms or complementary actions).
- The pattern conveys energy, intensity, or emotional vigor.
- Common combinations: 连哭带闹, 连蹦带跳, 连说带笑, 连拉带拽, 连吃带喝.
- It is highly colloquial and best used in spoken Chinese or informal narrative.
- The actions described are typically physical or emotional — not abstract.
This pattern appears frequently in Chinese storytelling and casual narratives. It is particularly common when describing children, emotional scenes, or chaotic situations, and it gives Chinese speech a dynamic, cinematic quality.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
几个小孩儿吓得连哭带叫。
The children were so scared they were crying and screaming at the same time.
Describes panic with simultaneous crying and yelling
信是男朋友写的，她高兴得连蹦带跳。
The letter was from her boyfriend — she was so happy she was bouncing and jumping.
Describes irrepressible joy
他们一见面就连说带笑，聊了一个下午。
As soon as they met, they were talking and laughing together all afternoon.
孩子不肯走，妈妈连拉带拽地把他弄上了车。
The child refused to go, so the mother dragged and pulled him into the car.
他饿坏了，连吃带喝，不一会儿就把饭菜全吃光了。
He was starving — eating and drinking at the same time, he finished everything in no time.
她连比带画地给我讲了半天，我才听明白。
She explained to me for a long time with gestures and drawings before I finally understood.
Describes using gestures and drawings to communicate
搬家那天，大家连搬带运，忙了一整天。
On moving day, everyone was carrying and transporting — busy the entire day.
Common Mistakes
A and B must each be monosyllabic. Do not use the two-syllable word 蹦跳; split it into 蹦 and 跳 for the pattern.
Do not add 着 after 连 or 带. The pattern is a fixed compact structure: 连A带B without any extra particles.
连A带B typically follows a cause (often with 得): 高兴得连蹦带跳. It describes the resulting action, not the cause.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Use 连A带B when you want to convey energy and simultaneity — it is more dynamic than 又A又B or 边A边B.
The pattern works best with physical actions and emotional expressions.
A and B should be semantically related — do not pair unrelated actions.
This pattern often follows 得 to describe a result: 吓得连哭带叫, 高兴得连蹦带跳.
Homework
Write a vivid narrative paragraph describing a chaotic or exciting scene (a surprise party, a child's tantrum, a sports victory celebration) using at least three different 连A带B expressions. Make the scene come alive with energetic, simultaneous actions.