接二连三

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jiē èr lián sān
• English Translation: One after another, in quick succession, continuously
• Idiom Composition: 「接」（To connect, to follow）＋「二」（Two）＋「连」（To link, to connect）＋「三」（Three）
• Meaning: Describes events occurring continuously one after another without interruption. It conveys not only the meaning of 'continuous' but also implies frequency and succession in quick order.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「接二连三」 contains the following nuances:

• High frequency: Indicates that events happen repeatedly at a relatively high frequency.
• Short intervals: Expresses that the time intervals between events are short.
• Unexpected occurrences: Often involves a sense of surprise or confusion due to unexpected events happening one after another.
• Negative events: Tends to be used more often in contexts involving negative or undesirable events.

3. Usage

「接二连三」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Series of unfortunate events: Used to describe situations where accidents, disasters, or troubles occur one after another.
  • Example:「最近，这个地区接二连三地发生盗窃案。」
    （Recently, thefts have been happening one after another in this area.）
• Busyness and hecticness: Describes a situation where many tasks or engagements come one after another, causing a busy and hectic state.
  • Example:「年末，接二连三地应酬，忙得不可开交。」
    （At the end of the year, social engagements come one after another, keeping one extremely busy.）
• Series of positive events: Occasionally used to describe a series of positive events happening in succession.
  • Example:「自从他中了彩票后，好运接二连三地降临到他身上。」
    （Since winning the lottery, good luck has been coming to him one after another.）

Additional Examples:

1. 最近，他接二连三地遇到麻烦事，心情很糟糕。
   （Recently, he has been encountering troubles one after another, feeling very down.）
2. 这个项目接二连三地出现问题，我们不得不重新评估计划。
   （This project has had problems one after another, forcing us to reassess the plan.）
3. 她接二连三地收到面试通知，感到非常兴奋。
   （She received interview invitations one after another and felt very excited.）
4. 这家餐厅的菜品接二连三地上桌，让人目不暇接。
   （Dishes at this restaurant were brought to the table one after another, making it hard to keep up.）
5. 他接二连三地打破了世界纪录，成为了传奇人物。
   （He broke world records one after another, becoming a legendary figure.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The numbers 'two' and 'three': In Chinese, '二' (two) and '三' (three) are not only numbers but can also imply 'many' or 'multiple'. The idiom '接二连三' reflects this usage.
• Negative nuance: This idiom is often used in contexts involving negative events, so it is important to be mindful of the context when using it.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 层出不穷 (céng chū bù qióng): To appear one after another without end.
  • 络绎不绝 (luò yì bù jué): A continuous stream of people, vehicles, or horses without stopping.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 断断续续 (duàn duàn xù xù): To continue intermittently or sporadically.
  • 零零星星 (líng líng xīng xīng): Scattered and sparse, only a little at a time.

6. Summary

'接二连三' is an idiom that describes events happening frequently and in quick succession. It is often used to depict situations where unexpected or undesirable events occur one after another. When using this idiom, it is important to be aware of its emphasis on continuity and high frequency, as well as its tendency to carry a negative connotation depending on the context.