挂钩 guàgōu to couple
to couple; to link; to hook together; (figuratively) (preceded by 与 + {entity}) to establish contact (with {entity}); (Taiwan) to collude (with {entity}); (figuratively) to link (marketing efforts with production etc); to peg (welfare payments to inflation etc); to tie (remuneration to performance etc); hook (on which to hang something); latch hook; coupling
How to remember 挂钩: 挂 hang + 钩 hook = to couple.
Characters
How it is used
- To link/tie one thing to another - 工资与业绩挂钩 (gōngzī yǔ yèjì guàgōu) pay is tied to performance.
- The figurative 'peg/link' use is very common. Also a literal coupling hook. Separable: 挂上钩. Structure: A 与 B 挂钩.