Japanese word

連鎖

Pronunciation

Romajirensa

Meaning

  • nounchain

Example

小さな失敗の連鎖が始まりました。chii sa na ship pai no ren sa ga haji ma ri ma shi ta

A chain of small mistakes has begun.

Illustration for 連鎖 (chain)

More examples

その知らせをきっかけに、誤解の連鎖が広がりました。so no shi ra se o ki kka ke ni go kai no ren sa ga hiro ga ri ma shi ta

The news triggered a chain of misunderstandings that spread.

Core concept

Presents a connected sequence in which each part is linked to what comes before and after it.

Common phrases

  • 連鎖を止めるren sa o to me ru

    stop the chain

  • 連鎖反応ren sa han nō

    chain reaction

Similar words

連続renzoku: A sequence of events or things that follow one another without a break.
連なりtsuranari: A series of things or events connected in a line or group.
連動rendō: A state in which two or more actions or changes occur in relation to one another.

Definition in Japanese

物事が互いに結びつき、一つの事柄が次の事柄へと続いていくこと。mono goto ga taga i ni musu bi tsu ki hito tsu no koto gara ga tsugi no koto gara e to tsuzu i te i ku ko to

Word origin

連鎖 (rensa) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 連 (ren, "join") and 鎖 (sa, "chain"), describing a linked series.

Usage tips

  • In news and academic writing, 連鎖 (rensa) often suggests that one event triggers or reinforces the next, rather than merely following it in time.

Other meanings

  • seriesnoun
  • connectionnoun

Opposites

  • 単発tanpatsusingle occurrencenoun
  • 断絶danzetsudisconnectionnoun

Related words

  • 連鎖的rensatekichain-likena-adjective
  • 連鎖化rensakachainingnoun

Word lists with this word