====== tóng: 同 - Same, Alike, Together, With ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** tóng, 同, Chinese for same, Chinese for together, Chinese for with, tong meaning, tong character, 同用法, 同例子, 相同, 共同, 同学, 同事, Chinese grammar with
  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning and usage of the fundamental Chinese character 同 (tóng). This versatile word, essential for HSK 2 learners, means "same," "alike," "together," or "with." Learn how it forms crucial vocabulary like 同学 (tóngxué, classmate) and 同事 (tóngshì, colleague), and understand its cultural significance in expressing unity and collectivism in Chinese society. This guide provides practical examples, cultural insights, and common mistakes to help you master 同.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** tóng
  * **Part of Speech:** Adjective, Adverb, Preposition, Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 2
  * **Concise Definition:** "同" primarily means "same," "alike," "together," or acts as the preposition "with."
  * **In a Nutshell:** 同 (tóng) is a cornerstone character for expressing commonality and shared experience. Think of it as a unifier. When two things are the "same," they share a quality (同). When people do something "together," they share an action (同). It’s the root of concepts like agreement, companionship, and identity, from having the same hobby to being from the same country.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **同:** The character itself is a pictograph. An ancient form depicts a lid or cover (`冂`) over a mouth (`口`). This imagery suggests things being gathered, assembled, or enclosed in one container. The "mouths" are speaking in unison or agreement, leading to the modern meanings of "same," "alike," and "together." It visually represents the idea of bringing different elements into a single, unified whole.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * 同 (tóng) is deeply connected to the Chinese cultural value of collectivism and harmony (`和谐`, héxié). While Western cultures often celebrate individuality and being "different," traditional Chinese thought places a high value on group cohesion, consensus, and unity. Being "同" is often a source of strength and social bonding.
  * This is evident in words like `同胞` (tóngbāo - compatriot, literally "from the same womb") and `同志` (tóngzhì - comrade, "same aspiration"). These terms evoke a powerful sense of shared identity and solidarity.
  * A powerful philosophical concept is `大同` (Dà Tóng), or the "Great Unity." This is a utopian vision from Confucian classics describing a perfect society where everyone is treated as family, resources are shared, and harmony prevails. This ideal highlights how "sameness" and "togetherness" are not just descriptive words, but aspirational goals within the culture.
  * **Contrast with Western Culture:** In American culture, standing out and being a unique individual is often a primary goal. The phrase "they're all the same" can even be an insult. In China, while individuality is increasingly valued, the ability to be `同心协力` (tóng xīn xié lì - to work together with one heart) is a sign of a high-functioning team, family, or society.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **As a Preposition ("with"):** This is a key usage, similar to `跟 (gēn)` and `和 (hé)`. It's slightly more formal or literary. You'll often see it in writing or more formal speech.
    * e.g., `我同老板开会。` (Wǒ tóng lǎobǎn kāihuì.) - I'm having a meeting with the boss.
  * **As an Adjective ("same"):** It often combines with `样 (yàng)` to form `同样 (tóngyàng)` or is used in the structure `A 同 B 一样` (A is the same as B).
    * e.g., `我们有同样的目标。` (Wǒmen yǒu tóngyàng de mùbiāo.) - We have the same goal.
  * **As an Adverb ("together"):** It often appears in compounds like `一同 (yītóng)` or `共同 (gòngtóng)` to mean "jointly" or "together."
    * e.g., `大家共同努力。` (Dàjiā gòngtóng nǔlì.) - Everyone works hard together.
  * **In Noun Compounds:** This is perhaps its most common usage for beginners. It signifies a shared status or activity.
    * `同学` (tóngxué): classmate (same + study)
    * `同事` (tóngshì): colleague (same + work/matter)
    * `同屋` (tóngwū): roommate (same + room)
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 你的观点**同**我的一样。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ de guāndiǎn **tóng** wǒ de yīyàng.
    * English: Your point of view is the same as mine.
    * Analysis: This classic `A 同 B 一样` structure is fundamental for making comparisons. It directly translates to "A with B is the same."
  * **Example 2:**
    * 明天我想**同**你一起去图书馆。
    * Pinyin: Míngtiān wǒ xiǎng **tóng** nǐ yīqǐ qù túshūguǎn.
    * English: Tomorrow I want to go to the library with you.
    * Analysis: Here, `同` functions as a preposition meaning "with." In spoken Chinese, `跟 (gēn)` is often more common and casual (`我想跟你一起...`), while `同` can sound slightly more formal or is preferred in some southern regions.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 我们是大学**同学**，也是好朋友。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen shì dàxué **tóngxué**, yěshì hǎo péngyǒu.
    * English: We are university classmates and also good friends.
    * Analysis: `同学` is a perfect example of a compound word. `同` (same) + `学` (study) = people who study together.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 这两件衣服的颜色不**同**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè liǎng jiàn yīfú de yánsè bù**tóng**.
    * English: The colors of these two pieces of clothing are different.
    * Analysis: `不同` (bùtóng) is the direct antonym, meaning "not the same" or "different." It's an extremely common and useful word.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 他**同**意了我的计划。
    * Pinyin: Tā **tóng**yì le wǒ de jìhuà.
    * English: He agreed with my plan.
    * Analysis: `同意` literally means "same idea." It's the standard verb for "to agree."
  * **Example 6:**
    * 我和我的**同事**关系很好。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ hé wǒ de **tóngshì** guānxì hěn hǎo.
    * English: My relationship with my colleagues is very good.
    * Analysis: Similar to `同学`, `同事` (tóngshì) means "colleague" or "co-worker," from `同` (same) + `事` (matter, affair, work).
  * **Example 7:**
    * 与此**同**时，我们必须考虑风险。
    * Pinyin: Yǔ cǐ **tóng**shí, wǒmen bìxū kǎolǜ fēngxiǎn.
    * English: At the same time, we must consider the risks.
    * Analysis: `同时` (tóngshí) is a very common adverbial phrase meaning "at the same time" or "simultaneously."
  * **Example 8:**
    * 这是我们**共同**的责任。
    * Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒmen **gòngtóng** de zérèn.
    * English: This is our shared responsibility.
    * Analysis: `共同` (gòngtóng) emphasizes a shared, joint nature. It's stronger than just "same"; it implies joint effort or ownership.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 全球化让世界变成了“地​​球村”，我们有**同**一个未来。
    * Pinyin: Quánqiúhuà ràng shìjiè biànchéngle "dìqiúcūn", wǒmen yǒu **tóng** yīgè wèilái.
    * English: Globalization has turned the world into a "global village," and we have one and the same future.
    * Analysis: Using `同一个` emphasizes "one single, shared" entity. It's a powerful way to express unity.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 我们要**同**甘共苦，互相支持。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen yào **tóng** gān gòng kǔ, hùxiāng zhīchí.
    * English: We must share weal and woe together and support each other.
    * Analysis: This is a classic Chengyu (idiom). `同甘共苦` (tóng gān gòng kǔ) literally means "share the sweet, share the bitter." It's a profound expression of solidarity through good times and bad.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`同` vs. `跟 (gēn)` vs. `和 (hé)`:** This is the most common point of confusion. All three can mean "with."
    * **`跟 (gēn)`:** Most common in colloquial, spoken Mandarin, especially in Northern China. It's your safest bet for everyday conversation.
    * **`和 (hé)`:** Also very common. Its main drawback is that it can also mean "and," which can sometimes create ambiguity.
    * **`同 (tóng)`:** Slightly more formal, literary, or common in Southern Chinese dialects. Using it in a very casual chat might make you sound a little like you're reading from a book.
    * **Mistake:** A beginner might exclusively use `同` for "with" in all situations, which can sound unnaturally formal. It's better to learn `跟` for speaking.
  * **`同样` vs. `一样`:**
    * `一样 (yīyàng)` is the most common, all-purpose word for "same" or "alike."
    * `同样 (tóngyàng)` is a bit more formal and often means "similarly" or "in the same way."
    * **Mistake:** Using `同样` where the simpler `一样` would suffice. For "My car is the same as yours," `我的车跟你的一样` is more natural than `我的车跟你的同样`.
  * **Not a Universal "And":** While `和` can mean both "with" and "and" (A and B), `同` almost exclusively means "with" (A with B) when connecting two nouns in that manner. You wouldn't say `我喜欢苹果同香蕉` for "I like apples and bananas." You must use `和` or `跟`.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[一样]] (yīyàng) - The most common and colloquial term for "same" or "alike."
  * [[相同]] (xiāngtóng) - A more formal synonym for "same," often used in written or technical contexts.
  * [[不同]] (bùtóng) - The direct antonym: "different," "not the same."
  * [[共同]] (gòngtóng) - "Common," "joint," "shared." Emphasizes collaboration.
  * [[同意]] (tóngyì) - To agree; literally "same idea."
  * [[同学]] (tóngxué) - Classmate; a person with whom you share the experience of studying.
  * [[同事]] (tóngshì) - Colleague; a person with whom you share the work.
  * [[跟]] (gēn) - The most common colloquial preposition for "with."
  * [[和]] (hé) - A very common word for "with" and also the primary word for "and."
  * [[大同]] (dàtóng) - The Great Unity; a classical Chinese utopian concept of a perfect, harmonious society.