一共
yī gòng HSK 3

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

我们一共三个人。
Wǒmen yīgòng sān gè rén.
There are three of us altogether.
一共五本书。
Yīgòng wǔ běn shū.
There are five books in total.
一共多少钱?
Yīgòng duōshǎo qián?
How much is it altogether?
我们一共五个人。
Wǒmen yīgòng wǔ gè rén.
We have five people altogether.
一共多少钱?
Yīgòng duōshǎo qián?
How much is it in total?

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 一共 as 'one total'—break it down: 一 (yī) means 'one' and 共 (gòng) means 'together', so together they form 'one total'. Imagine grouping items into one combined sum to remember its meaning.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, as well as in spoken and written Chinese. It is commonly used in everyday situations like shopping, statistics, or describing totals in lists, such as when calculating costs, quantities, or time.

📖 Grammar Points

一共 is typically placed before a verb (e.g., 一共花了) or directly before a numerical phrase (e.g., 一共五百元). It often appears in sentences with structures like Subject + 一共 + Verb + Number + Measure Word + Noun, as in the example provided.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, being precise with totals, especially in financial or group settings, is valued, so 一共 is frequently used in transactions and planning. It reflects a practical approach to summarizing information clearly.

🔄 Similar Words

总共 (zǒnggòng) is very similar and often interchangeable, but 一共 is slightly more casual and common in daily speech. 合计 (héjì) also means 'in total' but is more formal and used in written or business contexts.

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