relation
Definitions
The way in which things or people are connected; a logical or causal link.
联系、关联（事物或人之间的关联或逻辑/因果关系）。
A member of one's family; a relative.
亲属、亲戚。
Dealings or contact between people, groups, or countries (usually plural, 'relations').
（常作复数 relations）往来、关系（人、群体或国家间的交往）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedrelate ('carry back, connect') + -ion ('state, act') = the state of being connected. From the link sense comes 'a relation' (a connection) and, because family members are people you're connected to by blood, 'a relation' (a relative). The plural 'relations' covers dealings between groups (foreign relations).
Root relat still carries 5 more wordsWhy It Means This
relation packs three connected senses into one word, all from 'carry back, connect': an abstract link (relation between A and B), a family member (a person you're connected to), and dealings between groups (relations, as in public relations or international relations). The family sense feels odd until you see it: a relation is literally someone you're related to.
Common Collocations
- 1.in relation to关于、相对于
- 2.relation between……之间的关系
- 3.public relations公共关系
- 4.diplomatic relations外交关系
- 5.bear no relation to与……毫无关系
Example Sentences
- 1.
There is a clear relation between exercise and mood.
- 2.
He is a distant relation on my mother's side.
- 3.
The two nations are working to improve diplomatic relations.