http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_and_parallel_circuits

Series and parallel circuits 串联和并联电路
A series /sɪəri:z/ circuit 串联电路
A parallel circuit 并联电路

Components connected in series 串联的元件

We can connect the 2 resistors in series. 我们可以把那两个电阻串联。

You should connect the 2 capacitors in parallel. 你应该把那两个电容并联起来。
Are the 2 inductors connected in series or parallel? 那两个电感是串联的还是并联的？

两个最基本的名词：
series connection 串联
parallel connection 并联
这是物理书上标的，貌似物理书上只写了这个，没写出他们的动词用法

Why do you like these components to be connected in parallel?

示例动词用法：
Why do you connect the capacitors in series?
It's no use doing that.
The resistors are in series.
They aren't in parallel.
Why do you like these components connected in parallel?

我们说这两个灯泡是并联的。
We say the 2 light bulbs are connected in parallel.