Ideographic: Metal 钅 that joins 连; 连 also provides the pronunciationRadical:

meaning for liàn:

  • - chain
  • - cable (unit of length: 100 fathoms, about 185 m)
  • - chain (unit of length: 66 feet, about 20 m)
  • - to chain
  • - to enchainlink (on a website)chain
  • - Classifiers: 根 necklace
  • - Classifiers: 条 iron chainfood chain