====== tóngbù: 同步 - Synchronize, In Sync, At the same time ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **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.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **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.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **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.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
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.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**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 Sentences =====
  * **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.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
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 **tóngbù**le 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**.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[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.