gòngtóng: 共同 - Common, Shared, Joint

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• Summary: Discover the deep meaning of 共同 (gòngtóng), a core Chinese word that means “common,” “shared,” or “joint.” More than just “together,” gòngtóng reflects the cultural value of collectivism and is essential for understanding concepts from shared hobbies to national goals like “common prosperity” (共同富裕). This page breaks down its characters, cultural importance, and practical usage with clear examples, contrasting it with the simpler term `一起 (yīqǐ)` to help you master its nuanced application.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gòngtóng
• Part of Speech: Adjective, Adverb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: Pertaining to something done, held, or belonging to two or more people or groups; shared, common, joint.
• In a Nutshell: 共同 (gòngtóng) is about a shared state, purpose, or characteristic. It's the invisible glue that binds people with the same goal, the same interest, or the same fate. Think less about being physically in the same place (that's `一起, yīqǐ`) and more about being on the same page, in the same boat, or part of the same abstract group. It implies a sense of unity and shared identity.

• 共 (gòng): This character's ancient form depicts two hands holding an object together. It inherently means “together,” “to share,” or “in common.”
• 同 (tóng): This character combines a “cover” and a “mouth” (口). It suggests people under one roof speaking with one voice, thus meaning “same,” “alike,” or “together.”

When combined, 共同 (gòngtóng) is a powerful reinforcement of “shared-sameness.” The characters literally mean “together-same,” painting a clear picture of unity and a shared foundation.

共同 (gòngtóng) is a window into Chinese collectivist values. While Western cultures, particularly American culture, often prioritize individualism and personal achievement, Chinese culture has historically placed a stronger emphasis on the group, whether it's the family, the company, or the nation. The term is not just a descriptor; it's an ideal. It appears frequently in political slogans like 共同富裕 (gòngtóng fùyù) - “Common Prosperity,” which outlines a national goal for shared economic success, not just wealth for a few. It's also the heart of China's foreign policy concept of building a 人类命运共同体 (rénlèi mìngyùn gòngtóngtǐ) - “Community with a Shared Future for Mankind.” This contrasts with the Western concept of “finding common ground.” While similar, “common ground” often implies a negotiation between two distinct, individual parties to find an area of overlap. 共同 (gòngtóng) often starts from the assumption of a pre-existing or desired unity, focusing on a shared identity or goal from the outset. It's a foundational principle, not just a compromise.

共同 (gòngtóng) is a versatile word used in both formal and informal contexts, though it carries a slightly more formal weight than its counterparts.

• As an Adjective: It modifies a noun, often with 的 (de). This is its most common usage.
  • e.g., 共同的目标 (gòngtóng de mùbiāo) - a common goal
  • e.g., 共同的利益 (gòngtóng de lìyì) - shared interests
• As an Adverb: It directly modifies a verb, indicating a joint action.
  • e.g., 共同努力 (gòngtóng nǔlì) - to work hard together
  • e.g., 共同面对 (gòngtóng miànduì) - to face together
• In Formal/Political Discourse: Extremely common in news, official documents, and speeches to emphasize unity and collective action.
• In Business: Used in phrases like “joint venture” (合资企业) where the spirit is one of 共同 investment and risk.
• In Social Life: Used to describe shared hobbies, memories, or friends, strengthening social bonds.

• Example 1:
  • 我们有共同的目标。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yǒu gòngtóng de mùbiāo.
  • English: We have a common goal.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of 共同 as an adjective. It describes the nature of the “goal” (目标) as being shared among “us” (我们). It implies a deep sense of shared purpose.
• Example 2:
  • 这个问题需要我们共同解决。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge wèntí xūyào wǒmen gòngtóng jiějué.
  • English: This problem requires us to solve it jointly.
  • Analysis: Here, 共同 functions as an adverb, modifying the verb “to solve” (解决). It stresses that the action of solving must be a united effort.
• Example 3:
  • 阅读是我们共同的爱好。
  • Pinyin: Yuèdú shì wǒmen gòngtóng de àihào.
  • English: Reading is our shared hobby.
  • Analysis: A common and friendly way to establish a connection with someone. It highlights a shared interest that forms a bond.
• Example 4:
  • 这是我们俩共同的秘密。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒmen liǎ gòngtóng de mìmì.
  • English: This is a shared secret between the two of us.
  • Analysis: This usage shows how 共同 can create a sense of intimacy and exclusivity. The “secret” (秘密) belongs to the collective unit of “the two of us.”
• Example 5:
  • 夫妻双方应共同承担家庭责任。
  • Pinyin: Fūqī shuāngfāng yīng gòngtóng chéngdān jiātíng zérèn.
  • English: Both husband and wife should jointly bear family responsibilities.
  • Analysis: This sentence has a formal, almost legalistic tone. 共同 emphasizes the shared and equal nature of the duty, a very common usage in discussions about rights and responsibilities.
• Example 6:
  • 我们生活在同一个地球村，拥有共同的未来。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen shēnghuó zài tóng yī ge dìqiúcūn, yōngyǒu gòngtóng de wèilái.
  • English: We live in the same global village and possess a shared future.
  • Analysis: This sentence elevates the concept to a global scale, echoing the political idea of a “community with a shared future.” It's philosophical and unifying.
• Example 7:
  • 缺乏共同语言是他们分手的​主要原因。
  • Pinyin: Quēfá gòngtóng yǔyán shì tāmen fēnshǒu de​ zhǔyào yuányīn.
  • English: A lack of common language was the main reason they broke up.
  • Analysis: “共同语言” (common language) here is used figuratively to mean shared values, interests, and things to talk about. It's a very common metaphor for compatibility.
• Example 8:
  • 这份荣誉属于我们团队的共同努力。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn róngyù shǔyú wǒmen tuánduì de gòngtóng nǔlì.
  • English: This honor belongs to the collective effort of our team.
  • Analysis: This sentence attributes success not to an individual, but to the “joint effort” (共同努力) of the group. This is a very culturally resonant way to express achievement.
• Example 9:
  • 我们需要找到一个对双方都有利的共同点。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào zhǎodào yī ge duì shuāngfāng dōu yǒulì de gòngtóngdiǎn.
  • English: We need to find a point of common ground that is beneficial to both sides.
  • Analysis: “共同点” (gòngtóngdiǎn) literally means “common point” and is the direct equivalent of “common ground.” This is often used in negotiations or conflict resolution.
• Example 10:
  • 实现共同富裕是中国式现代化的重要特征。
  • Pinyin: Shíxiàn gòngtóng fùyù shì Zhōngguóshì xiàndàihuà de zhòngyào tèzhēng.
  • English: Achieving common prosperity is an important feature of Chinese-style modernization.
  • Analysis: A high-level, political example you will frequently see in Chinese media. It demonstrates the term's use in defining national-level ideology and goals.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 共同 (gòngtóng) and 一起 (yīqǐ).

• 一起 (yīqǐ): Means “together” in a physical or temporal sense. It describes the action of doing something in the same place at the same time. It's an adverb and is very common in daily conversation.
  • Correct: 我们一起去吃饭吧。(Wǒmen yīqǐ qù chīfàn ba.) - Let's go eat together.
  • The focus is on the action of “going to eat” happening together.
• 共同 (gòngtóng): Means “jointly” or “in common.” It describes a shared purpose, goal, possession, or characteristic. It can be an adverb or an adjective and is slightly more formal.
  • Correct: 我们有共同的目标。(Wǒmen yǒu gòngtóng de mùbiāo.) - We have a common goal.
  • The focus is on the “goal” being a shared attribute.

Common Mistake: Using 共同 for simple, everyday actions.

• Incorrect: 我们共同看了一部电影。(Wǒmen gòngtóng kàn le yī bù diànyǐng.)
• Why it's wrong: Watching a movie is usually a simple, shared activity, not a joint mission. 一起 (yīqǐ) is the natural choice.
• Correct: 我们一起看了一部电影。(Wǒmen yīqǐ kàn le yī bù diànyǐng.) - We watched a movie together.

Think of it this way: You can do things 一起 (yīqǐ) without having anything 共同 (gòngtóng). For example, strangers can ride a bus 一起 (yīqǐ), but they don't have a 共同 (gòngtóng) purpose.

• 一起 (yīqǐ) - Describes doing something physically together. It focuses on the action, whereas `共同` focuses on the shared purpose or state.
• 公共 (gōnggòng) - Means “public” (e.g., 公共汽车 - public bus). It relates to something shared by all people in a society, a broader form of `共同`.
• 合作 (hézuò) - To cooperate; to work together. Cooperation is the *action* you take to achieve a `共同` goal.
• 团结 (tuánjié) - To unite; unity. This is often the desired result of having a `共同` objective.
• 集体 (jítǐ) - A collective; the group as a whole. This noun represents the entity that often possesses `共同` interests.
• 同样 (tóngyàng) - Same; similar. This focuses on two things being alike, while `共同` focuses on something being shared between two or more parties.
• 社区 (shèqū) - Community. A community is often defined by its `共同` location, interests, or identity.