Scope Adverb: 共 (Altogether / In Total)
范围、协同副词：共
Use 共 to express totals, sums, and collective scope in statements
Place 共 before the number or verb to indicate a total sum or collective action. 共 can be used with or without 有. It summarizes a count or expresses that something is done collectively.
共 is more concise than 一共 — both mean "altogether" but 共 is shorter and often used in more formal or written contexts. 一共 is more common in casual spoken Chinese.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Scope Adverb: 共 (Altogether / In Total) (范围、协同副词：共)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 范围、协同副词：共 pattern
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Understanding 范围、协同副词：共
The adverb 共 (gòng) means "altogether" or "in total" and is used to sum up quantities or describe collective actions. You likely already know 一共, which is the colloquial version. 共 is its more concise counterpart, often preferred in written Chinese, news, and formal speech. When stating totals, 共 appears before the number: 共有三十人 (there are thirty people in total). It can also indicate that people do something together or collectively: 共创未来 (create the future together). The word is versatile and compact — just one syllable carries the meaning that takes English several words ("in total," "altogether," "collectively"). Learning to use 共 naturally will make your Chinese more efficient and polished.
Key Points
- 共 (gòng) = "altogether / in total / collectively."
- 共 is more concise and formal than 一共 (yígòng).
- Common pattern: 共 + 有 + number + noun = "there are X in total."
- Can also express collective action: 共同 (gòngtóng, together), 共创 (create together).
- Frequently used in reports, news, and official contexts.
- In spoken Chinese, 一共 is more common; in written Chinese, 共 is preferred.
The character 共 appears in many important Chinese political and cultural terms: 共和国 (gònghéguó, republic), 共同 (gòngtóng, common/together), 共产 (gòngchǎn, communist). Understanding 共 as "shared / collective" helps you decode these compound words.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
共有三十人出席会议。
A total of thirty people attended the meeting.
这本书共十五课。
This book has fifteen lessons in total.
我们班共有二十五个学生。
Our class has twenty-five students in total.
这次旅行共花了三千块。
This trip cost three thousand yuan in total.
共五道题，他全答对了。
There were five questions in total, and he got them all right.
参加比赛的共有十支队伍。
There were ten teams participating in the competition in total.
Common Mistakes
共 should come before the number, not after it. Place 共 at the beginning of the count.
Do not double 共. Use either 共 alone or 一共.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Use 一共 in casual speech and 共 in writing or formal contexts — both are correct.
共 often pairs with 有: 共有 is the most common combination.
When reporting numbers or statistics, 共 makes your Chinese sound professional.
Practice by describing things around you: 这个教室共有多少把椅子？
Homework
Write a short report about your class, school, or workplace using 共 at least four times. Include numbers of people, rooms, courses, or items. Example: 我们学校共有两千名学生。