tóngbù: 同步 - Synchronize, In Sync, At the same time

• Keywords: 同步, tongbu, tong bu, synchronize in Chinese, in sync in Chinese, Chinese word for sync, data synchronization, simultaneous translation, file sync, cloud sync, 同步发展, 同步进行
• Summary: The Chinese word 同步 (tóngbù) literally means “same step” and is the go-to term for “synchronize” or being “in sync.” It's an essential modern vocabulary word used everywhere from technology (to synchronize files or data) and business (to describe parallel projects) to media (simultaneous translation or broadcast). Understanding tóngbù is key to discussing how things are coordinated and connected in today's digital and fast-paced world, reflecting the idea of keeping pace and moving together.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tóngbù
• Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective, Adverb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To occur or cause to occur at the same time or rate; synchronized.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine two dancers taking the exact same step at the exact same moment. That's the core idea of 同步 (tóngbù). It's about perfect alignment in time and action. Whether it's your phone updating the cloud, a team working on a project in parallel, or a movie being released worldwide on the same day, tóngbù describes this state of coordinated, simultaneous action. It implies a connection or a deliberate alignment, not just two random things happening at once.

• 同 (tóng): This character means “same,” “alike,” or “together.” It can be pictured as a group of people speaking with one voice or in agreement.
• 步 (bù): This character means “step” or “pace.” Its form originally depicted two feet (止 and 夂) taking a step forward.
• Together, 同步 (tóngbù) literally translates to “same step.” This vivid imagery perfectly captures the modern meaning of being synchronized—moving forward together at the same pace and time.

While 同步 (tóngbù) is primarily a practical and modern term, its widespread use reflects a key aspect of contemporary Chinese society: the emphasis on coordinated progress and staying “in sync” with the world. In policy and national development, you'll often hear phrases like 同步发展 (tóngbù fāzhǎn), meaning “synchronized development.” This highlights a collectivist approach where different sectors or regions are encouraged to advance in parallel, ensuring no one is left behind. This contrasts with a more individualistic Western concept where progress might be more staggered and driven by individual or local initiatives. The idea is to create a harmonious and balanced advancement, much like an orchestra where all instruments must be 同步 to create beautiful music. This concept is visible in massive national projects, from infrastructure to educational reforms, all designed to move the country forward in a unified, synchronized manner.

同步 (tóngbù) is an extremely common word in daily life, especially in professional and technological contexts.

• In Technology: This is its most frequent use. It's the standard word for “sync.”
  • 云同步 (yún tóngbù): Cloud sync
  • 同步文件 (tóngbù wénjiàn): To sync files
  • 数据同步 (shùjù tóngbù): Data synchronization
  • 保持同步 (bǎochí tóngbù): To stay in sync
• In Business and Projects: It describes tasks or projects that happen in parallel.
  • 同步进行 (tóngbù jìnxíng): To carry out simultaneously/in parallel.
  • 两个项目需要同步推进。(Liǎng gè xiàngmù xūyào tóngbù tuījìn.): The two projects need to be advanced in parallel.
• In Media and Events: It refers to simultaneous broadcasts, releases, or interpretations.
  • 同步直播 (tóngbù zhíbō): Live simulcast (e.g., a sports event broadcast on TV and online at the same time).
  • 全球同步上映 (quánqiú tóngbù shàngyìng): Simultaneous worldwide release (for a movie).
  • 同步翻译 (tóngbù fānyì): Simultaneous interpretation (at a conference). Also called 同声传译 (tóngshēng chuányì).
• In Education:
  • 同步课堂 (tóngbù kètáng): Synchronized classroom, where a lesson is broadcast live from one classroom to others, often in remote areas.

• Example 1:
  • 我需要把手机里的照片同步到我的电脑上。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào bǎ shǒujī lǐ de zhàopiàn tóngbù dào wǒ de diànnǎo shàng.
  • English: I need to sync the photos on my phone to my computer.
  • Analysis: This is the most common technological use of 同步 as a verb, meaning “to sync.”
• Example 2:
  • 请确保所有团队成员的信息保持同步。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng quèbǎo suǒyǒu tuánduì chéngyuán de xìnxī bǎochí tóngbù.
  • English: Please ensure that all team members' information stays in sync.
  • Analysis: Here, 同步 is used more abstractly in a business context to mean “up-to-date” or “aligned.”
• Example 3:
  • 这部电影将在全球同步上映。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng jiāng zài quánqiú tóngbù shàngyìng.
  • English: This movie will be released simultaneously worldwide.
  • Analysis: 同步 is used here as an adverb, modifying the verb 上映 (shàngyìng - to be released).
• Example 4:
  • 会议为外国嘉宾提供了同步翻译服务。
  • Pinyin: Huìyì wèi wàiguó jiābīn tígōngle tóngbù fānyì fúwù.
  • English: The conference provided simultaneous interpretation services for foreign guests.
  • Analysis: Here, 同步 acts as an adjective describing the type of translation.
• Example 5:
  • 我们的两个开发项目正在同步进行。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de liǎng gè kāifā xiàngmù zhèngzài tóngbù jìnxíng.
  • English: Our two development projects are proceeding in parallel.
  • Analysis: The phrase 同步进行 (tóngbù jìnxíng) is a very common set phrase in project management.
• Example 6:
  • 为了实现教育公平，许多学校开设了同步课堂。
  • Pinyin: Wèile shíxiàn jiàoyù gōngpíng, xǔduō xuéxiào kāishèle tóngbù kètáng.
  • English: In order to achieve educational equity, many schools have started synchronized classrooms.
  • Analysis: This example shows the term's application in a social and educational context in China.
• Example 7:
  • 我们可以看到运动员们的动作完全同步。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen kěyǐ kàn dào yùndòngyuánmen de dòngzuò wánquán tóngbù.
  • English: We can see that the athletes' movements are perfectly in sync.
  • Analysis: This describes physical actions being synchronized, like in synchronized swimming or dancing.
• Example 8:
  • 糟糕，我的日历和手机没有同步，我错过了会议。
  • Pinyin: Zāogāo, wǒ de rìlì hé shǒujī méiyǒu tóngbù, wǒ cuòguòle huìyì.
  • English: Oh no, my calendar and phone weren't in sync, so I missed the meeting.
  • Analysis: A practical example of what happens when things are not 同步.
• Example 9:
  • 公司的发展必须与市场的变化同步。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de fāzhǎn bìxū yǔ shìchǎng de biànhuà tóngbù.
  • English: The company's development must be in sync with market changes.
  • Analysis: A figurative use, meaning “to keep pace with” or “be aligned with.”
• Example 10:
  • 只要你连接到网络，文件就会自动同步。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyào nǐ liánjiē dào wǎngluò, wénjiàn jiù huì zìdòng tóngbù.
  • English: As long as you are connected to the internet, the files will sync automatically.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the automatic nature of much modern synchronization technology.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 同步 (tóngbù) and 同时 (tóngshí).

• 同时 (tóngshí): Means “at the same time.” It describes two or more separate, often unrelated, events happening concurrently. There is no implication of coordination or connection.
  • Correct: 我喜欢同时听音乐和看书。(Wǒ xǐhuān tóngshí tīng yīnyuè hé kànshū.) - I like to listen to music and read at the same time.
  • Incorrect: 我喜欢同步听音乐和看书。 (This sounds very strange, as if your reading pace is technologically linked to the music's tempo).
• 同步 (tóngbù): Means “synchronized” or “in sync.” It implies that the events are linked, coordinated, or part of the same integrated process.
  • Correct: 我的手机和电脑同步了联系人列表。(Wǒ de shǒujī hé diànnǎo tóngbùle liánxìrén lièbiǎo.) - My phone and computer synced their contact lists.
  • Incorrect: 我的手机和电脑同时了联系人列表。 (This is grammatically incorrect and makes no sense).

Rule of Thumb: If you can replace the word with “at the same time,” use 同时. If you can replace it with “in sync” or “synchronized,” use 同步.

• 同时 (tóngshí) - At the same time; simultaneously. The most important term to distinguish from 同步. It describes co-occurrence without coordination.
• 异步 (yìbù) - Asynchronous. The direct antonym of 同步, meaning not occurring at the same time. Crucial in technical fields like programming and data transmission.
• 协调 (xiétiáo) - To coordinate; to harmonize. This describes the *process* of getting different parts to work together. A successful 协调 often results in a state of 同步.
• 一致 (yīzhì) - Consistent; in agreement; identical. Describes a state of being the same, especially for opinions, data, or standards. Your files are 一致 after they are 同步.
• 并存 (bìngcún) - To coexist. Describes two things existing at the same time, often in the same place, but without necessarily interacting or being in sync.
• 平行 (píngxíng) - Parallel. Often used with 同步 to describe processes that run at the same time without interfering with each other, like “平行同步进行”.
• 直播 (zhíbō) - Live broadcast. An event that is often done 同步 across multiple platforms.