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一共 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
一共
yígòng
altogether
HSK 3, j, 7 strokes, rank #4026, Medium
yígòng(yi2gong4)yi gong T1
1altogether
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March 24, 2026
一共yígòng(yi2gong4)
一共 (yī gòng) means 'altogether' or 'in total.' It is used to express the total amount or sum of something, often in numerical contexts, such as calculating costs or counting items. This phrase is commonly used in conversational and formal settings to clarify totals.
Strokes7Frequency#4026DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, clarity in communication, especially regarding money and numbers, is crucial. The use of 一共 reflects the importance placed on transparency in transactions, aligning with the cultural emphasis on honesty and directness in financial matters.
Memory tip
Imagine you are counting your total expenses, and you hold up one finger (一) while shouting 'go!' (共) to your friends to gather them around to hear the total. The character 一 represents 'one' and 共 suggests 'together' or 'jointly,' reinforcing the idea of summing up.
Meanings of 一共
yígòng(yi2gong4)
1altogether
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 一共
一共Simplified
7Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#4026Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 一共
Podcast: 一共
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AI study notes for 一共
Quick Contrast
总共 (zǒnggòng) vs 一共 (yígòng): use 一共 for informal contexts or everyday conversation, while 总共 is more formal and often used in written contexts.
Usage Notes
一共 is typically used in situations involving counting or totaling. Common mistakes include using it inappropriately in contexts that don't involve aggregation, such as '我一共喜欢这个' (incorrect) instead of '我总共喜欢这个' (correct). It's also important to note that 一共 is informal and may not be suitable for very formal writing.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 一共 often appears in calculations or discussions about money and quantities. Students should focus on using it in practical scenarios, such as shopping or budgeting, and practice the structure of sentences where totals are mentioned.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 一共 with other similar phrases like 总共. For example, saying '我一共有三本书' is correct, but using '我总共有三本书' may sound overly formal when speaking casually.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 一共
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Learning Lab
Knowing 一共 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
一共 (yī gòng) means 'altogether' or 'in total.' It is used to express the total amount or sum of something, often in numerical contexts, such as calculating costs or counting items. This phrase is commonly used in conversational and formal settings to clarify totals.
When to use 一共
一共 is typically used in situations involving counting or totaling. Common mistakes include using it inappropriately in contexts that don't involve aggregation, such as '我一共喜欢这个' (incorrect) instead of '我总共喜欢这个' (correct). It's also important to note that 一共 is informal and may not be suitable for very formal writing.
一共 or something close to it
总共 (zǒnggòng) vs 一共 (yígòng): use 一共 for informal contexts or everyday conversation, while 总共 is more formal and often used in written contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 一共 with other similar phrases like 总共. For example, saying '我一共有三本书' is correct, but using '我总共有三本书' may sound overly formal when speaking casually.
Write 一共
一
共
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Grammar patterns of 一共
一共 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
