Meaning and Usage
"連合" (れんごう) means "union" or "alliance" and is commonly used to describe groups or organizations that join together for a common purpose. It often refers to formal or semi-formal coalitions such as political party alliances, labor unions, or economic unions.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "連合" in contexts involving cooperation between multiple entities, such as countries forming economic unions, labor unions uniting for collective bargaining, or political parties forming coalitions.
Collocations and Patterns
- 経済連合 (けいざいれんごう): economic union, used when countries or regions cooperate economically.
- 労働組合連合 (ろうどうくみあいれんごう): labor union federation, referring to a coalition of labor unions.
- 政党連合 (せいとうれんごう): political party coalition, used in politics when parties join forces.
- 連合して (れんごうして): "to unite" or "in alliance," often used with verbs to describe joint action.
Register and Nuance
"連合" is a neutral to formal term, suitable for news reports, official statements, and formal discussions. It implies a structured or organized alliance rather than a casual partnership.
Common Learner Pitfall
Learners sometimes confuse "連合" with "連帯" (solidarity) or "同盟" (alliance). While similar, "連合" emphasizes the act of joining or the coalition itself, often in a formal or organizational sense. "同盟" is more about mutual defense or agreement, and "連帯" focuses on solidarity and shared responsibility.