At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn how to greet people and say goodbye. '保持联系' (bǎochí liánxì) is a very useful phrase to learn as a 'chunk.' You don't need to understand every single grammar rule behind it yet. Just remember that it means 'Keep in touch!' You can say it to your teacher or your new Chinese friends when you leave. Even if you only know a few words, saying this shows that you want to continue learning and talking to them. It's a polite way to end a conversation. Think of it as a single block of sound that makes you sound much more fluent and polite. You might hear your teacher say it at the end of a lesson to encourage you to keep practicing. It's one of those 'magic phrases' that helps you build relationships early on in your language journey.
At the A2 level, you should start understanding the structure of '保持联系.' You know that '保持' means to keep or maintain, and '联系' means contact. This is the level where you start using prepositions like '跟' (gēn) or '和' (hé). You can now say '跟我保持联系' (Keep in touch with me). You are also learning to use basic adverbs. You can say '经常保持联系' (Keep in touch often). This phrase is essential for the social situations you'll encounter, like meeting people at a party or finishing a short-term project. You should be able to recognize this phrase in emails and text messages. It's a key part of 'social English' translated into Chinese, helping you move from just 'hello' and 'goodbye' to expressing a desire for an ongoing relationship.
By B1, you can use '保持联系' in more complex sentences and different contexts. You understand that it can be a subject, like '保持联系很重要' (Keeping in touch is important). You can also use it with modal verbs like '应该' (yīnggāi - should) or '必须' (bìxū - must). For example, '为了完成这个工作,我们必须保持联系' (In order to finish this work, we must keep in touch). You are starting to see the difference between this and more casual phrases like '常联系.' You can also use it in the past tense or with duration, like '我们保持联系了很多年' (We have kept in touch for many years). At this level, you are using the phrase not just to be polite, but to manage your social and professional life effectively in Chinese.
At the B2 level, you can appreciate the nuance of '保持联系' in professional environments. You might use it in a business proposal: '我们将与合作伙伴保持密切联系' (We will maintain close contact with our partners). You understand the subtle difference between '联系' (contact), '联络' (liaison), and '沟通' (communication). You can use '保持联系' to describe networking strategies or the importance of long-term client relations. You are also comfortable using it in more abstract ways, such as '保持与时代的联系' (Keeping in touch with the times/staying current). Your usage is fluid, and you can modify the phrase with sophisticated adverbs like '始终' (shǐzhōng - from beginning to end) or '密切' (mìqiè - closely).
At the C1 level, '保持联系' is a tool you use with precision. You understand its role in the broader context of Chinese 'Guanxi' and social etiquette. You know when '保持联系' is a genuine invitation and when it is a 'polite refusal' or a way to end a conversation without making future plans. You can use the phrase in formal writing, speeches, or high-level negotiations. You might also explore more literary or idiomatic ways to express the same idea, but you return to '保持联系' for its clarity and professional weight. You can discuss the etymology of the characters and how the concept of 'linking' (联) has evolved in the digital age. Your sentences are complex, often embedding the phrase within clauses that discuss the nuances of interpersonal dynamics.
At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of '保持联系.' You can use it with subtle irony or within complex metaphorical structures. You might compare the modern '保持联系' (via WeChat and social media) with traditional forms of maintaining contact in Chinese history. You can use the phrase in academic discussions about sociology or communication theory. You are aware of regional variations in how the phrase is used across the Sinosphere. You can effortlessly switch between '保持联系' and more archaic or poetic expressions of staying connected, depending on the audience and the medium. Your understanding is not just linguistic, but deeply cultural, recognizing the phrase as a cornerstone of Chinese social cohesion.

保持联系 in 30 Seconds

  • Used to express the desire to stay in communication with someone.
  • Commonly used as a parting phrase in both social and business settings.
  • Requires '跟' or '和' when specifying the person you are contacting.
  • Grammatically functions as a verb-object phrase meaning 'to maintain contact.'

The phrase 保持联系 (bǎochí liánxì) is one of the most essential social lubricants in the Chinese language. At its core, it translates to 'to keep in touch' or 'to maintain contact.' However, its usage spans from sincere promises between lifelong friends to polite, almost perfunctory closings in professional emails. Understanding the weight of this phrase requires looking at the two components: 保持 (to maintain/keep) and 联系 (contact/connection).

Literal Breakdown
'保持' implies a continuous effort to prevent something from fading or stopping. '联系' refers to the bridge or link between two entities. Together, they suggest an active process of staying in each other's lives.
Social Function
In Chinese culture, where 'Guanxi' (relationships) is paramount, saying '保持联系' is more than just a goodbye; it is an acknowledgment of the value of the relationship. It signals that the interaction shouldn't end just because the current meeting is over.

虽然我们毕业了,但一定要保持联系。(Suīrán wǒmen bìyèle, dàn yīdìng yào bǎochí liánxì.) - Although we have graduated, we must keep in touch.

You will encounter this phrase in various settings. In a business context, after a successful meeting, a partner might say '随时保持联系' (Keep in touch anytime) to indicate openness to future collaboration. In a casual setting, it’s a standard way to end a conversation with someone you don’t see often. It’s important to note that, much like the English 'Let's do lunch sometime,' it can sometimes be a polite formality rather than a literal invitation to call every day. Context and tone of voice are key indicators of the speaker's true intent.

回国以后,记得跟我保持联系。(Huíguó yǐhòu, jìdé gēn wǒ bǎochí liánxì.) - After you return to your country, remember to keep in touch with me.

Linguistically, the phrase is quite flexible. It can be used as a command, a suggestion, or a statement of fact. For example, '我们需要保持联系' (We need to keep in touch) uses it as a requirement for a task or project. The verb '保持' is particularly formal, making this phrase suitable for written correspondence. If you want to sound more casual, you might use '常联系' (cháng liánxì), which literally means 'contact often.'

Formal vs. Informal
While '保持联系' is neutral to formal, '常联系' is the 'see ya' of the contact world. Use the former in emails and the latter when hanging out with friends.

Using 保持联系 correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure. Most commonly, it follows the pattern: [Subject] + 跟/和 + [Person] + 保持联系. This translates to '[Subject] keeps in touch with [Person].' It can also stand alone as a parting phrase, much like 'Keep in touch!' in English.

我们要跟客户保持联系。(Wǒmen yào gēn kèhù bǎochí liánxì.) - We need to stay in touch with the clients.

Another common structure is adding adverbs to modify the frequency or nature of the contact. Words like 经常 (jīngcháng - often), 随时 (suíshí - anytime), or 长期 (chángqī - long-term) are frequently paired with this phrase. For instance, '随时保持联系' is a standard professional courtesy meaning 'Stay in touch anytime' or 'I'm available if you need to reach out.'

Common Adverbs
1. 经常保持联系 (Keep in touch often)
2. 密切保持联系 (Maintain close contact)
3. 始终保持联系 (Keep in touch throughout/always)

无论在哪里,我们都要保持联系。(Wúlùn zài nǎlǐ, wǒmen dōu yào bǎochí liánxì.) - No matter where we are, we must stay in touch.

In more complex sentences, '保持联系' can act as a noun phrase or a goal. For example, '保持联系对我们的合作很重要' (Maintaining contact is very important for our cooperation). Here, the phrase acts as the subject of the sentence. This versatility is why it is introduced early in Chinese learning (CEFR A2), as it allows learners to express social intent and professional necessity with a single, high-frequency expression.

You will hear 保持联系 in a wide variety of real-world scenarios. It is ubiquitous in the final moments of a conversation. If you are at a networking event in Shanghai, as you exchange WeChat QR codes, the most natural thing to say is '那我们保持联系' (Then let's keep in touch). This acts as a verbal handshake, solidifying the new connection.

好的,那我们电话保持联系。(Hǎo de, nà wǒmen diànhuà bǎochí liánxì.) - Okay, then let's keep in touch by phone.

In the workplace, managers often use it to ensure project updates. You might hear, '请跟进这个项目,并与我保持联系' (Please follow up on this project and keep in touch with me). In this context, it isn't just a friendly suggestion; it's an instruction to provide regular status reports. Similarly, in customer service, a representative might end a call with '我们会与您保持联系' (We will keep in touch with you), meaning they will update you on your case.

Media and Pop Culture
In TV dramas (C-Dramas), you'll often hear star-crossed lovers or departing friends say this tearfully at train stations or airports. It represents the hope of bridging the distance.

我会通过邮件和你保持联系。(Wǒ huì tōngguò yóujiàn hé nǐ bǎochí liánxì.) - I will keep in touch with you via email.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is forgetting the preposition. In English, we say 'Keep in touch with me.' In Chinese, you cannot simply say '保持联系我.' You must use 跟 (gēn) or 和 (hé). Saying '保持联系我' sounds like 'Keep touch me,' which is grammatically broken and confusing.

Mistake 1: Missing Preposition
❌ 保持联系他 (Bǎochí liánxì tā)
✅ 跟他保持联系 (Gēn tā bǎochí liánxì)
Mistake 2: Confusing '保持' with '坚持'
坚持 (jiānchí) means 'to persist' or 'to insist.' While it also translates to 'keep,' it's used for habits or opinions. You don't 'persist contact' in this way.

Another error is using '保持联系' when you actually mean 'to contact' once. If you want to say 'Contact me tomorrow,' you should use '明天联系我' (Míngtiān liánxì wǒ). '保持联系' implies a state of ongoing communication. Using it for a one-time action makes the sentence feel unnaturally heavy or long-term.

Incorrect: 请保持联系我明天。
Correct: 请明天联系我。

Finally, learners sometimes over-formalize casual situations. While '保持联系' is never 'wrong,' saying it to a sibling you live with would be bizarre. In very close relationships, people might simply say '发微信' (fā Wēixìn - send a WeChat) or '打电话' (dǎ diànhuà - call).

If you find yourself using 保持联系 too often, there are several alternatives that can add variety to your Chinese. Depending on the level of formality and the specific 'vibe' you want to convey, you might choose one of the following.

常联系 (cháng liánxì)
The most common casual alternative. It literally means 'often contact.' Use this with friends, classmates, or colleagues you have a friendly relationship with.
联络 (liánluò)
Often used in a slightly more 'logistical' or 'networking' sense. '保持联络' is nearly identical to '保持联系' but can feel a bit more traditional or formal.
打招呼 (dǎ zhāohu)
Literally 'to say hello' or 'to greet.' In some contexts, '记得跟我打个招呼' (Remember to give me a shout/say hi) serves a similar social purpose to keeping in touch.

Comparison: '保持联系' is the bridge, '常联系' is the frequent crossing of that bridge, and '联络' is the act of reaching out across the bridge.

In a professional setting, you might hear '沟通' (gōutōng), which means 'to communicate.' While '保持沟通' (maintain communication) is similar, it emphasizes the exchange of information rather than just the social connection. If you are working on a shared project, '保持沟通' is often more appropriate than '保持联系.'

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '联' (lián) originally depicted an ear and a silk thread, suggesting 'listening' or 'linking' through a line.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /baʊ tʃiː liɛn ʃiː/
US /baʊ tʃi liɛn ʃi/
Stress is evenly distributed, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable of each word (Bǎo and Lián).
Rhymes With
保持 (bǎochí) rhymes with 支持 (zhīchí - support). 联系 (liánxì) rhymes with 关系 (guānxì - relationship). 坚持 (jiānchí - persist). 主持 (zhǔchí - host). 练习 (liànxí - practice). 学习 (xuéxí - study). 信息 (xìnxī - information). 主席 (zhǔxí - chairman).
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'chí' as 'shí'.
  • Forgetting the second tone on 'lián'.
  • Pronouncing 'xì' as 'jì'.
  • Making 'bǎo' a flat first tone instead of a third tone.
  • Mumbling the 'i' in 'lián', making it sound like 'lan'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are common but '联系' requires some practice.

Writing 3/5

The character '联' and '系' have many strokes.

Speaking 2/5

Tones are straightforward but rhythm is important.

Listening 1/5

Very easy to recognize in conversation due to frequency.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

保持 联系 再见

Learn Next

沟通 交流 联络 社交 关系

Advanced

藕断丝连 音信全无 互通有无

Grammar to Know

Using '跟/和' for 'with'

我跟他保持联系。

Adverbs before verbs

经常保持联系。

Modal verbs

应该保持联系。

Resultative complements

联系上了 (Successfully contacted).

Duration of action

保持联系了三年。

Examples by Level

1

再见,保持联系!

Goodbye, keep in touch!

Used as a standalone parting phrase.

2

我们保持联系吧。

Let's keep in touch.

The particle '吧' makes it a suggestion.

3

记得保持联系。

Remember to keep in touch.

Simple imperative with '记得' (remember).

4

好的,保持联系。

Okay, keep in touch.

A polite response to a goodbye.

5

你和我保持联系。

You and I keep in touch.

Basic subject-object structure.

6

我们要保持联系。

We want to keep in touch.

Using '要' to express desire/intent.

7

再见,以后保持联系。

Goodbye, keep in touch in the future.

'以后' (future) adds a time element.

8

谢谢,保持联系。

Thanks, keep in touch.

Combining gratitude with a social closing.

1

请跟我保持联系。

Please keep in touch with me.

Use of '跟' (with) is essential here.

2

你可以和他保持联系吗?

Can you keep in touch with him?

Interrogative form with '吗'.

3

我们要经常保持联系。

We need to keep in touch often.

'经常' (often) modifies the frequency.

4

我会跟你保持联系的。

I will keep in touch with you.

'会...的' indicates a future promise.

5

虽然很远,但我们要保持联系。

Although it's far, we should keep in touch.

Using '虽然...但...' (although... but...).

6

我们用微信保持联系吧。

Let's keep in touch using WeChat.

'用' (use) specifies the method of contact.

7

他不想跟我保持联系。

He doesn't want to keep in touch with me.

Negative form with '不想'.

8

我们要跟老师保持联系。

We need to keep in touch with the teacher.

Professional/educational context.

1

保持联系对我们的友谊很重要。

Keeping in touch is very important for our friendship.

The phrase acts as the subject of the sentence.

2

如果你换了电话,记得跟我保持联系。

If you change your phone number, remember to keep in touch.

Conditional '如果' (if) clause.

3

我们已经保持联系十年了。

We have been in touch for ten years.

Expressing duration with '了'.

4

在出差期间,请随时保持联系。

During the business trip, please keep in touch at any time.

'随时' (anytime) is a common professional adverb.

5

即使很忙,他也会跟我保持联系。

Even if he is busy, he will still keep in touch with me.

Using '即使...也...' (even if... also...).

6

通过网络,我们可以很方便地保持联系。

Through the internet, we can keep in touch very conveniently.

Adverbial phrase '很方便地' (conveniently).

7

我们需要跟合作伙伴保持联系。

We need to maintain contact with our partners.

Professional context with '合作伙伴'.

8

他出国以后就没跟我保持联系了。

After he went abroad, he stopped keeping in touch with me.

Negative past state with '没...了'.

1

为了确保项目的顺利进行,我们需要密切保持联系。

To ensure the smooth progress of the project, we need to maintain close contact.

'密切' (closely) is a higher-level adverb.

2

无论发生什么,我们都要保持联系。

No matter what happens, we must keep in touch.

'无论...都...' (no matter... still...).

3

保持联系是建立良好人际关系的关键。

Maintaining contact is the key to building good interpersonal relationships.

Abstract noun usage in a formal statement.

4

他始终与母校保持着联系。

He has always maintained contact with his alma mater.

'始终' (always) and the aspect marker '着' (continuous).

5

我们应该跟老同学保持联系,不要疏远了。

We should keep in touch with old classmates and not grow apart.

Using '疏远' (to drift apart) as a contrast.

6

通过定期会议,我们能够保持联系并解决问题。

Through regular meetings, we can stay in touch and solve problems.

Complex sentence with multiple verbs.

7

在全球化的今天,保持联系变得更加容易。

In today's globalized world, keeping in touch has become much easier.

Using '变得' (to become) for a change in state.

8

公司要求员工与客户保持长期的联系。

The company requires employees to maintain long-term contact with clients.

Using '要求' (require) in a corporate context.

1

在信息爆炸的时代,保持联系的方式多种多样。

In the era of the information explosion, the ways of keeping in touch are diverse.

Advanced vocabulary like '信息爆炸' and '多种多样'.

2

尽管身处异地,他们依然通过信件保持着某种精神上的联系。

Despite being in different places, they still maintain a kind of spiritual connection through letters.

Abstract usage: '精神上的联系' (spiritual connection).

3

保持联系不仅是为了社交,更是为了资源的共享。

Keeping in touch is not only for socializing, but even more for the sharing of resources.

Using '不仅...更是...' (not only... but even more...).

4

他善于在不同领域的人才之间保持联系。

He is good at maintaining contact between talents in different fields.

Using '善于' (to be good at).

5

这种联系如果不能通过互动来保持,很快就会中断。

If this contact cannot be maintained through interaction, it will soon be interrupted.

Passive potential construction '不能通过...来保持'.

6

为了维护品牌形象,公关部门必须与媒体保持联系。

To maintain brand image, the PR department must stay in touch with the media.

Specific professional context (PR and Media).

7

保持联系的频率应当根据关系的亲疏程度来调整。

The frequency of keeping in touch should be adjusted according to the closeness of the relationship.

Formal vocabulary: '频率' (frequency) and '亲疏程度' (closeness).

8

他通过社交媒体巧妙地与潜在客户保持联系。

He skillfully keeps in touch with potential customers through social media.

Adverb '巧妙地' (skillfully/cleverly).

1

在全球政治博弈中,各国仍需保持联系以避免误判。

In global political maneuvering, all countries still need to maintain contact to avoid miscalculations.

Highly formal/political context.

2

保持联系已成为现代人的一种生存焦虑,而非单纯的社交需求。

Keeping in touch has become a kind of existential anxiety for modern people, rather than a simple social need.

Philosophical/Sociological observation.

3

文学作品是作者与读者跨越时空保持联系的纽带。

Literary works are the bond for authors and readers to keep in touch across time and space.

Metaphorical use of '保持联系'.

4

即便在数字化浪潮中,面对面的交流依然是保持联系最有效的方式。

Even in the digital wave, face-to-face communication remains the most effective way to stay in touch.

Complex concessive clause '即便...依然...'.

5

这种深层的心理联系,远非简单的日常问候所能保持。

This deep psychological connection is far from what simple daily greetings can maintain.

Advanced structure '远非...所能...'.

6

他试图在传统价值观与现代生活方式之间保持某种联系。

He tries to maintain a certain connection between traditional values and modern lifestyles.

Abstract conceptual connection.

7

保持联系的本质在于情感的共鸣与认知的同步。

The essence of keeping in touch lies in emotional resonance and cognitive synchronization.

Formal philosophical definition.

8

唯有保持联系,方能洞察市场瞬息万变的趋势。

Only by staying in touch can one gain insight into the ever-changing trends of the market.

Literary construction '唯有...方能...'.

Synonyms

常联系 联络 沟通 往来 打招呼 见面 交流 联系

Antonyms

断绝联系 失联 疏远 没联系

Common Collocations

随时保持联系
密切保持联系
长期保持联系
通过微信保持联系
一定要保持联系
很难保持联系
始终保持联系
断断续续保持联系
重新保持联系
设法保持联系

Common Phrases

那我们保持联系

— A standard way to end a conversation after making a plan or meeting someone new.

好的,那我们保持联系。

记得跟我保持联系

— A reminder given to someone who is leaving or moving away.

去北京以后,记得跟我保持联系。

咱们保持联系

— A very friendly, northern-style way to suggest staying in touch.

哥们儿,咱们保持联系!

随时随地保持联系

— Emphasizes that contact can happen at any time and from anywhere.

现在的手机让我们能随时随地保持联系。

保持联系,别消失了

— A casual, slightly joking way to tell a friend not to 'disappear.'

回国后要保持联系,别消失了啊!

通过邮件保持联系

— Specifies the medium of contact as email.

我会通过邮件和你保持联系。

保持紧密联系

— A more formal version of 'close contact.'

两校之间保持紧密联系。

保持必要的联系

— Suggests keeping in touch only as much as is needed.

我们只需要保持必要的联系。

保持最基本的联系

— Suggests a minimal level of contact, like holiday greetings.

他们只保持最基本的联系。

保持单线联系

— A spy/thriller term meaning to keep contact through only one specific person.

特工之间保持单线联系。

Idioms & Expressions

"藕断丝连"

— Literally 'lotus root breaks but the fibers remain connected.' Used for relationships (often romantic) that aren't fully cut off.

他们离婚后依然藕断丝连。

Literary/Idiomatic
"天涯若比邻"

— Literally 'the ends of the earth are like neighbors.' Used to describe staying close despite distance.

只要保持联系,就能天涯若比邻。

Poetic
"音信全无"

— To have no news or contact at all. The opposite of keeping in touch.

他走后便音信全无。

Formal
"断绝往来"

— To completely stop all contact and interaction.

两家公司已经断绝往来。

Formal
"不相往来"

— To not have any contact with each other.

老死不相往来 (To not visit each other until death).

Literary
"书信往来"

— To keep in touch specifically via letters.

他们保持了多年的书信往来。

Traditional
"互通有无"

— To communicate to help each other with what they lack; often used in trade.

两国保持联系,互通有无。

Formal
"朝夕相处"

— To be together from morning to night; the opposite of needing to 'keep in touch' from afar.

他们以前朝夕相处,现在只能保持联系。

Literary
"形影不离"

— Inseparable, like a body and its shadow.

他们以前形影不离,现在偶尔保持联系。

Idiomatic
"千里姻缘一线牵"

— A marriage connection across a thousand miles is pulled by a single thread.

保持联系,也许能成就千里姻缘。

Romantic/Proverb

Word Family

Nouns

联系人 (liánxìrén - contact person)
联系方式 (liánxì fāngshì - contact method)

Verbs

保持 (bǎochí - to maintain)
联系 (liánxì - to contact)

Adjectives

联系紧密的 (liánxì jǐnmì de - closely connected)

Related

沟通 (gōutōng)
交流 (jiāoliú)
联络 (liánluò)
关系 (guānxì)
社交 (shèjiāo)

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are 'Holding' (持) a 'Bag' (保) of 'Links' (联系) to all your friends so you don't lose them.

Visual Association

Imagine a long silk thread (系) connecting two people across a map, and they are both 'holding' (持) onto it tightly.

Word Web

WeChat Email Phone Friends Business Guanxi Networking Goodbye

Challenge

Try to say '我们保持联系吧' to three different people today (even if just in your head or to a pet!).

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '保持' (bǎochí) appears in classical texts meaning to protect and hold. '联系' (liánxì) became common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as China modernized its language to include abstract social and technical concepts.

Original meaning: 'Keep and hold the connection/link.'

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic)

Cultural Context

Generally very safe and polite. However, if said to someone you have just had a conflict with, it can sound dismissive or overly formal.

Similar to 'Keep in touch' or 'Stay in contact.'

Commonly heard in the closing of C-Dramas. Standard phrase in Chinese business etiquette manuals. Theme of many popular songs about graduation and friendship.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Graduation

  • 毕业后要保持联系
  • 我们永远保持联系
  • 别忘了保持联系
  • 常联系

Business Meeting

  • 随时保持联系
  • 期待保持联系
  • 通过邮件保持联系
  • 与客户保持联系

Travel

  • 回国后保持联系
  • 路上保持联系
  • 用微信保持联系
  • 记得联系我

Customer Service

  • 我们会与您保持联系
  • 请保持联系方式畅通
  • 稍后保持联系
  • 随时联系

Online Gaming

  • 加个好友保持联系
  • 下次再玩保持联系
  • 群里保持联系
  • 私信联系

Conversation Starters

"我们加个微信吧,方便以后保持联系。"

"你最近跟那些老同学还有保持联系吗?"

"我觉得在这个行业,跟同行保持联系很重要。"

"虽然你搬家了,但我们还是要经常保持联系。"

"你一般习惯用什么方式跟朋友保持联系?"

Journal Prompts

写一写你最想跟谁保持联系,为什么?

在数字化时代,保持联系变得更容易了吗?谈谈你的看法。

描述一次你跟多年未见的同学重新保持联系的经历。

为什么在职场中跟前同事保持联系是有益的?

如果你去了一个没有网络的地方,你会如何跟家人保持联系?

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