一共 (yī gòng) — in total, altogether

Subj. + 一共 (yígòng) + Verb + Number + Noun

HSK 33.0

Pattern diagram

Who / what一共ActionNumberMeasure wordNoun

pale — also possible

Rule structure

一共 (yígòng) means “in total” or “altogether” and sums up a quantity. It usually comes before the verb, with the quantity stated afterwards. It can also be used with 多少 (duōshao) to ask “how many in total?”

Examples

我们班一共有二十个学生。

Wǒmen bān yígòng yǒu èrshí ge xuésheng.

There are twenty students in our class in total.

我们一共买了三个杯子。

Wǒmen yígòng mǎi le sān ge bēizi.

We bought three cups in total.

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Words from this rule

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “in total, altogether” in Chinese with 一共?

Use the structure: Subj. + 一共 (yígòng) + Verb + Number + Noun. For example: 我们班一共有二十个学生。 — “There are twenty students in our class in total”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

我们班一共有二十个学生。 — “There are twenty students in our class in total”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 3.

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More HSK 3.0 Level 3 grammar rules