tóng: 同 - Same, Alike, Together, With

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.

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.

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.

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.

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`.

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.