====== yīzhì: 一致 - Unanimous, Identical, Consistent ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** yīzhì, 一致,一致 meaning, consistent in Chinese, unanimous in Chinese, in agreement in Chinese, how to use yizhi, Chinese word for consensus, identical data in Chinese
  * **Summary:** Learn the Chinese word **一致 (yīzhì)**, a crucial HSK 4 term describing a state of being unanimous, consistent, or identical. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance in achieving group harmony, and practical usage in business and daily conversation. Discover the difference between 一致 and 同意 (tóngyì), and master its use with 10 clear example sentences.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yīzhì
  * **Part of Speech:** Adjective, Adverb
  * **HSK Level:** 4
  * **Concise Definition:** To be in agreement, consistent, identical, or unanimous.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **一致 (yīzhì)** describes a state where multiple things (opinions, data, actions, descriptions) are perfectly aligned as one. It's not just about "agreeing"—it's about a complete lack of discrepancy. Think of it as everyone in a group having the exact same thought, or a report's numbers perfectly matching the source data.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **一 (yī):** The character for "one" or "single." Here, it carries the idea of unity, wholeness, and singularity.
  * **致 (zhì):** This character means "to cause," "to result in," or "to arrive at." It implies a process or a destination.
  * When combined, **一致 (yīzhì)** literally means "to result in one" or "to arrive at one state." This beautifully captures the idea of multiple elements coming together to form a single, unified, and consistent whole.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * In Chinese culture, which often prioritizes group harmony (和谐, héxié) over individual expression, achieving **一致 (yīzhì)** is highly valued. In group settings, from business meetings to family discussions, the goal is often not just to make a decision but to reach a point where everyone is genuinely aligned and comfortable with the outcome. This avoids confrontation and preserves social face (面子, miànzi).
  * **Comparison to Western "Consensus":** While "consensus" in the West often means a general agreement reached after a debate where dissenting opinions were voiced, **一致 (yīzhì)** implies a deeper, more complete alignment. The ideal process for achieving **一致** is often through subtle negotiation and discussion where a shared conclusion emerges naturally, rather than through a formal vote that might highlight winners and losers. It reflects a collectivist mindset where the group's singular, unified direction is the ultimate goal.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **Formal & Business Context:** **一致** is extremely common in formal writing and business.
    * **Decisions:** A committee might **一致通过 (yīzhì tōngguò)** a proposal, meaning it was "unanimously passed."
    * **Data/Information:** You might say that **数据与报告一致 (shùjù yǔ bàogào yīzhì)**, meaning "the data is consistent with the report."
    * **As an Adverb:** It's often used as an adverb meaning "unanimously" or "collectively." For example: **大家一致认为 (dàjiā yīzhì rènwéi)**, "Everyone unanimously believes..."
  * **Informal & Conversational Context:**
    * **Opinions:** You and a friend might discover that your views on a movie are **一致**, meaning you think the exact same way about it.
    * **Actions:** A group might **采取一致行动 (cǎiqǔ yīzhì xíngdòng)**, meaning they "take concerted/united action."
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 经过讨论，委员会的意见最终**一致**了。
    * Pinyin: Jīngguò tǎolùn, wěiyuánhuì de yìjiàn zuìzhōng **yīzhì** le.
    * English: After discussion, the committee's opinions finally became **unanimous**.
    * Analysis: This shows **一致** as the resulting state of a group discussion. It's a very common usage in formal or organizational contexts.
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 我们的目标是**一致**的，都是为了公司的发展。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen de mùbiāo shì **yīzhì** de, dōu shì wèile gōngsī de fāzhǎn.
    * English: Our goals are **consistent**; both are for the company's development.
    * Analysis: Here, **一致** is used as a predicate adjective to describe the alignment of abstract concepts like "goals."
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 警方发现两个目击者的证词并不**一致**。
    * Pinyin: Jǐngfāng fāxiàn liǎng gè mùjīzhě de zhèngcí bìng bù **yīzhì**.
    * English: The police discovered that the two witnesses' testimonies were not **consistent**.
    * Analysis: This is a great example of using **一致** in the negative to point out a discrepancy or contradiction.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 他说的话和做的事总是不**一致**。
    * Pinyin: Tā shuō de huà hé zuò de shì zǒng shì bù **yīzhì**.
    * English: What he says and what he does are always **inconsistent**.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates how **一致** can be used to describe the consistency (or lack thereof) between words and actions, a common way to critique someone's character.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 请确保您在所有文件上填写的地址是**一致**的。
    * Pinyin: Qǐng quèbǎo nín zài suǒyǒu wénjiàn shàng tiánxiě de dìzhǐ shì **yīzhì** de.
    * English: Please ensure the address you write on all documents is **identical/consistent**.
    * Analysis: A very practical example showing how **一致** is used for information and data to mean "the same across the board."
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 大家**一致**同意明天早上开会。
    * Pinyin: Dàjiā **yīzhì** tóngyì míngtiān zǎoshang kāihuì.
    * English: Everyone **unanimously** agreed to have a meeting tomorrow morning.
    * Analysis: Here, **一致** functions as an adverb, modifying the verb 同意 (tóngyì - to agree). It emphasizes the collective and complete nature of the agreement.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 这本书的翻译版本与原文的精神**一致**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè běn shū de fānyì bǎnběn yǔ yuánwén de jīngshén **yīzhì**.
    * English: The translated version of this book is **consistent** with the spirit of the original text.
    * Analysis: This shows the sophisticated use of **一致** to compare abstract qualities, like the "spirit" or "essence" of two things.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 他们的行动与我们事先的计划完全**一致**。
    * Pinyin: Tāmen de xíngdòng yǔ wǒmen shìxiān de jìhuà wánquán **yīzhì**.
    * English: Their actions were completely **in line with** our prior plan.
    * Analysis: The phrase 与...一致 (yǔ...yīzhì) is a common structure meaning "to be consistent/in line with..."
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 夫妻双方在教育孩子的问题上必须保持**一致**。
    * Pinyin: Fūqī shuāngfāng zài jiàoyù háizi de wèntí shàng bìxū bǎochí **yīzhì**.
    * English: Both husband and wife must maintain **a united front** on the issue of educating their child.
    * Analysis: 保持一致 (bǎochí yīzhì) means "to maintain consistency" or "to stay on the same page." It's a common and useful phrase.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 我们需要采取**一致**的对外政策。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào cǎiqǔ **yīzhì** de duìwài zhèngcè.
    * English: We need to adopt a **consistent** foreign policy.
    * Analysis: Here, **一致** is used as an adjective directly modifying a noun (政策 - policy), meaning the policy should be unified and without internal contradictions.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`一致 (yīzhì)` vs. `同意 (tóngyì)`:** This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
    * **`同意 (tóngyì)`** is a verb, meaning "to agree" or "to consent." It is an *action* performed by one or more individuals. //"我同意你的看法" (Wǒ tóngyì nǐ de kànfǎ) - "I agree with your opinion."//
    * **`一致 (yīzhì)`** is an adjective or adverb describing a *state* of being in complete agreement or alignment. It is the *result* of everyone agreeing. //"我们的看法一致" (Wǒmen de kànfǎ yīzhì) - "Our opinions are in agreement."//
    * **Think of it this way:** Several people must first **同意** to reach a state of **一致**.
  * **`一致 (yīzhì)` vs. `一样 (yīyàng)`:**
    * **`一样 (yīyàng)`** means "the same" and is used very broadly, especially for comparing physical objects. //"这两件衣服一样" (Zhè liǎng jiàn yīfu yīyàng) - "These two pieces of clothing are the same."//
    * **`一致 (yīzhì)`** is more formal and is typically used for abstract things like opinions, data, goals, statements, and actions. You would not say two shirts are `一致`.
    * **Incorrect:** ~~这两个苹果很一致。~~ (These two apples are very consistent.)
    * **Correct:** 这两个苹果一样大。(These two apples are the same size.)
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[同意]] (tóngyì) - To agree; the individual action that leads to the state of `一致`.
  * [[相同]] (xiāngtóng) - Identical or the same; often more formal than `一样` and can overlap with `一致` when describing data or facts.
  * [[一样]] (yīyàng) - The same; a very common and general term, used more for physical objects and general comparison.
  * [[符合]] (fúhé) - To conform to, to accord with. Used when something meets a standard or requirement (e.g., "The product conforms to safety standards").
  * [[共识]] (gòngshí) - Consensus. This is the noun for the shared understanding or agreement that has been reached. `一致` is the state of being in consensus.
  * [[和谐]] (héxié) - Harmony; the cultural ideal that reaching `一致` helps to achieve and maintain.
  * [[通过]] (tōngguò) - To pass (a motion, a bill). Often appears in the phrase **一致通过** (unanimously pass).
  * [[统一]] (tǒngyī) - To unify, united. While `一致` is about alignment of opinions or data, `统一` is about bringing different parts into one whole, often in a political or organizational sense (e.g., unifying a country).