Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 一起 | yìqǐ |
| 共同 | gòngtóng |
| 一同 | yītóng |
The primary way to express being together in the same place or at the same time is using 一起. The more formal 一同 can be used before a verb to emphasize the sense of unity in doing an action.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 一起 is composed of 一 (one) and 起 (to rise/start), which literally implies starting or rising as one.
Which one should you use?
一起 is the most common way to describe people performing an activity in the same place or at the same time. In contrast, 共同 means 'common' or 'joint' and is used for concepts like common interests or joint efforts rather than physical presence.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal or literary tone, you can use 一同. In very colloquial settings, you might hear 一块 used to mean 'together'. 共同 is a formal term used for 'common' or 'joint' attributes.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, where 'together' often follows the verb, the Chinese adverb 一起 is typically placed before the verb in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
yìqǐ
Did you know?
- While 一起 means 'together', adding it to the phrase 'being in a relationship' makes it a way to say two people are dating. Saying 我们在一起 literally means 'we are together' but implies a romantic partnership.
- The colloquial alternative 一块 literally means 'one piece' or 'one block'. Using it to mean 'together' treats the group of people as if they have become a single physical object.
- Even though 一起 is the standard, Northern Chinese speakers often substitute it with 一块儿 (yīkuàir), adding a characteristic 'r' sound at the end to sound more local and informal.
Examples in context
- 一起學習吧！Let's study together!This sentence is useful for suggesting a shared activity using 一起.Tatoeba #13519581 by LeviHighway, translation #13142087 by atitarev
- 我们一起工作。We work together.This sentence shows how to express working together using 一起.Tatoeba #3378119 by GlossaMatik, translation #1893672 by CK
- 我們住在一起。We live together.This sentence demonstrates living together using 一起.Tatoeba #5418965 by egg0073, translation #1893782 by CK
- 我们一起学习汉语。 (Wǒmen yīqǐ xuéxí hànyǔ.)Let's study Chinese together.
- 我们明天一起去参观博物馆吧。 (Wǒmen míngtiān yīqǐ qù cānguān bówùguǎn ba.)Let's visit the museum together tomorrow.
- 我们一块儿去看电影吧！ (Wǒmen yīkuài er qù kàn diànyǐng ba!)Let's go watch a movie together!
- 大家一块儿吃饭去吧。Let's all go eat together.
- 我跟朋友一起去旅行。 (Wǒ gēn péngyǒu yīqǐ qù lǚxíng.)I am going on a trip with my friends.
- 我和家人一块去购物。 (Wǒ hé jiārén yīkuài qù gòuwù.)I am going shopping with my family.
- 115 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yuting and Zhiqiang are deciding what to do on the weekend.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，你周末有空吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ zhōumò yǒu kòng ma?Zhiqiang, are you free this weekend?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我有空，怎么了？Wǒ yǒu kòng, zěnme le?I am free, why?
- 雨婷 Yuting我们一起去逛街吧。Wǒmen yīqǐ qù guàngjiē ba.Let's go shopping together.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好啊，我也想去。Hǎo a, wǒ yě xiǎng qù.Sure, I want to go too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “together” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
