‘连衣裙’ (lián yī qún) literally means ‘joined clothing skirt’ — a single garment that combines a top and skirt into one piece. Unlike separate blouses and skirts, a 连衣裙 is seamless at the waist, making it a classic, convenient style for women and girls in everyday wear, formal events, or seasonal fashion. The word reflects its structure: 连 (lián) means ‘joined’ or ‘connected’, 衣 (yī) means ‘clothing’ or ‘top’, and 裙 (qún) means ‘skirt’. This compound clearly signals its unified design.

It’s a neutral, widely used term across ages and registers — common in shopping, fashion descriptions, and casual conversation. While often translated simply as ‘dress’, 连衣裙 specifically excludes dress-like garments with pants (e.g., jumpsuits) or separates. It’s distinct from 洋装 (yángzhuāng, ‘Western-style dress’) or 礼服 (lǐfú, ‘formal gown’), though those may be types of 连衣裙 depending on style and occasion.