tóng zhōu gòng jì: 同舟共济 - To be in the same boat; To pull together through adversity

• Keywords: tongzhougongji, tóng zhōu gòng jì, 同舟共济, Chinese idiom, chengyu, in the same boat, pull together, mutual aid, solidarity, overcome hardship, Chinese culture, teamwork, unity, HSK 6
• Summary: Learn the powerful Chinese idiom (chengyu) 同舟共济 (tóng zhōu gòng jì), which literally means “to cross a river in the same boat.” This phrase beautifully captures the spirit of solidarity, mutual aid, and pulling together to overcome a shared crisis. A vital term in Chinese culture for understanding teamwork and unity, it describes how people must set aside differences and cooperate when facing a common challenge, much like passengers on a stormy sea.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tóng zhōu gòng jì
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (Chinese Idiom); Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To help each other and pull together in times of shared difficulty.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine a group of people, even strangers or enemies, caught in a small boat during a violent storm. To survive, they have no choice but to work together, rowing in sync and bailing out water. This powerful image is the essence of 同舟共济. It's not just about being in a tough situation together; it's about the active, necessary cooperation required to get through it.

• 同 (tóng): Same, together, alike.
• 舟 (zhōu): A boat or vessel (a more literary character than 船 chuán).
• 共 (gòng): Common, together, to share.
• 济 (jì): To cross a river; to help or provide aid.

The characters literally assemble into “same boat (同舟), together cross/aid (共济).” The phrase paints a vivid picture that directly translates to its metaphorical meaning: when we share a common vessel (our company, our country, our planet) navigating a difficult passage (a crisis), we must work together to reach the other side safely.

The origin of this idiom is famously recorded in *Sun Tzu's The Art of War* (孙子兵法). Sun Tzu uses it to illustrate how circumstance can forge alliances. He states that even people from the rival states of Wu and Yue—who were bitter enemies—would cooperate like the left and right hands if they were in the same boat and caught in a storm. This story highlights a core value in Chinese culture: the power of a shared fate to transcend individual differences and even long-standing animosity. It's a pragmatic application of collectivism, where the survival and well-being of the group become the paramount priority in a crisis. While the English idiom “to be in the same boat” is similar, 同舟共济 carries a much stronger, more proactive call to action. “In the same boat” can simply describe a shared predicament (e.g., “We're both going to get in trouble for being late”). 同舟共济, however, contains the solution: we must actively help each other because of our shared predicament. It is a moral and practical imperative for unity and mutual aid.

同舟共济 is a formal and often inspirational idiom. You won't hear it used for trivial, everyday problems.

• In National Speeches: This is a go-to phrase for leaders calling for national unity during major crises. You will hear it frequently during natural disasters (floods, earthquakes), economic downturns, or public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. It serves to rally the public and emphasize that everyone must contribute to the solution.
• In a Business Context: A CEO might use this idiom in a company-wide meeting during a challenging period. It's a way to say, “The company is facing difficulties, and we need every department and every employee to work together to get through this.” It fosters a sense of shared responsibility.
• In Community and Team Settings: It can be used to describe a sports team that needs to pull together to win a championship, or a community of neighbors helping each other after a local disaster. It always implies a serious, shared challenge that requires a collective effort.

The connotation is always positive, noble, and inspiring.

• Example 1:
  • 面对这次疫情，全国人民必须同舟共济，才能战胜病毒。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì zhè cì yìqíng, quánguó rénmín bìxū tóng zhōu gòng jì, cáinéng zhànshèng bìngdú.
  • English: Facing this epidemic, the people of the whole country must pull together to overcome the virus.
  • Analysis: A classic example from a formal, national context. It's a call for universal solidarity against a common enemy.
• Example 2:
  • 我们公司现在遇到了财务危机，希望大家能同舟共济，共渡难关。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī xiànzài yùdào le cáiwù wēijī, xīwàng dàjiā néng tóng zhōu gòng jì, gòngdù nánguān.
  • English: Our company has encountered a financial crisis. I hope everyone can pull together and get through this difficult time.
  • Analysis: Used in a business setting to motivate employees. “共渡难关” (gòngdù nánguān - get through hard times together) is a very common phrase paired with 同舟共济.
• Example 3:
  • 在这次地震救援中，志愿者和当地居民同舟共济，挽救了很多生命。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhè cì dìzhèn jiùyuán zhōng, zhìyuànzhě hé dāngdì jūmín tóng zhōu gòng jì, wǎnjiùle hěnduō shēngmìng.
  • English: In this earthquake rescue effort, volunteers and local residents worked together and saved many lives.
  • Analysis: This describes an action that has already happened, highlighting the successful cooperation between different groups during a disaster.
• Example 4:
  • 夫妻之间最重要的就是同舟共济，无论顺境还是逆境。
  • Pinyin: Fūqī zhījiān zuì zhòngyào de jiùshì tóng zhōu gòng jì, wúlùn shùnjìng háishì nìjìng.
  • English: The most important thing between a husband and wife is to support each other through thick and thin, no matter if it's in good times or bad.
  • Analysis: Here, the “boat” is the marriage, and the “storm” is any life challenge. It emphasizes mutual support in a relationship.
• Example 5:
  • 面对全球变暖这个共同的敌人，所有国家都应该同舟共济。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì quánqiú biànnuǎn zhège gòngtóng de dírén, suǒyǒu guójiā dōu yīnggāi tóng zhōu gòng jì.
  • English: Facing the common enemy of global warming, all countries should work together in solidarity.
  • Analysis: This applies the concept to international relations, where the “boat” is the planet Earth.
• Example 6:
  • 我们的团队要想赢得比赛，就必须同舟共济，忘记个人分歧。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de tuánduì yào xiǎng yíngdé bǐsài, jiù bìxū tóng zhōu gòng jì, wàngjì gèrén fēnqí.
  • English: If our team wants to win the game, we must pull together and forget our personal differences.
  • Analysis: A perfect example for a sports or project team context. It highlights overcoming internal conflict for a common goal.
• Example 7:
  • 历史上，当国家面临外敌入侵时，不同派别的人也会选择同舟共济。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ shàng, dāng guójiā miànlín wàidí rùqīn shí, bùtóng pàibié de rén yě huì xuǎnzé tóng zhōu gòng jì.
  • English: Historically, when the country faced foreign invasion, people from different factions would also choose to stand together.
  • Analysis: This describes a historical pattern, echoing the idiom's origin story from *The Art of War*.
• Example 8:
  • 在经济萧条时期，企业和政府需要同舟共济，共同刺激市场。
  • Pinyin: Zài jīngjì xiāotiáo shíqī, qǐyè hé zhèngfǔ xūyào tóng zhōu gòng jì, gòngtóng cìjī shìchǎng.
  • English: During a recession, businesses and the government need to work together to stimulate the market.
  • Analysis: Shows cooperation between different sectors of society (public and private) to solve a large-scale problem.
• Example 9:
  • 这个项目太难了，只有我们几个同舟共济，才有可能按时完成。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù tài nán le, zhǐyǒu wǒmen jǐ gè tóng zhōu gòng jì, cái yǒu kěnéng ànshí wánchéng.
  • English: This project is too difficult; only by pulling together can the few of us possibly finish it on time.
  • Analysis: A more grounded, small-scale example of a project team facing a tight deadline and a difficult task.
• Example 10:
  • 邻里之间守望相助，同舟共济的精神是社区和谐的基础。
  • Pinyin: Línlǐ zhījiān shǒuwàngxiāngzhù, tóng zhōu gòng jì de jīngshén shì shèqū héxié de jīchǔ.
  • English: The spirit of neighbors looking out for one another and pulling together in times of need is the foundation of a harmonious community.
  • Analysis: Here, the idiom is used to describe a “spirit” (精神 jīngshén), a guiding principle for community life.

• Mistake 1: Using it for trivial matters.
  • This is the most common mistake. 同舟共济 is reserved for serious, significant challenges. Using it for minor inconveniences sounds melodramatic and comical.
  • Incorrect: 我们都忘了带伞，现在下雨了，我们得同舟共济！(Wǒmen dōu wàngle dài sǎn, xiànzài xià yǔ le, wǒmen děi tóng zhōu gòng jì!)
  • Why it's wrong: Forgetting an umbrella is a small problem. You could say “我们共用一把伞吧” (Let's share an umbrella), but using this heavy, formal idiom is completely out of place.
• Mistake 2: Confusing it with simply “being in the same boat”.
  • As mentioned, this idiom implies action. If you just want to say you share the same unfortunate situation with someone, it's better to use a simpler phrase.
  • Situation: You and a colleague both got criticized by the boss.
  • Awkward: 我们真是同舟共济啊。(Wǒmen zhēnshi tóng zhōu gòng jì a.)
  • More Natural: 我们是天涯沦落人啊 (Wǒmen shì tiānyá lúnluò rén a - We are fellow sufferers) or simply 我们俩的处境一样 (Wǒmen liǎ de chǔjìng yīyàng - Our situations are the same).

• 患难与共 (huàn nàn yǔ gòng) - To share weal and woe; to go through thick and thin together. A very close synonym, but perhaps with a stronger emphasis on enduring shared suffering over a long period.
• 风雨同舟 (fēng yǔ tóng zhōu) - In the same boat through wind and rain. Another vivid, almost identical synonym for facing hardships together.
• 齐心协力 (qí xīn xié lì) - To work together with one heart and one mind. Focuses more on the unity of purpose and effort, applicable even when there isn't a life-threatening crisis.
• 团结就是力量 (tuánjié jiùshì lìliàng) - Unity is strength. A well-known slogan that expresses the core concept behind an idiom like 同舟共济.
• 守望相助 (shǒu wàng xiāng zhù) - To keep watch and help defend one another. Often used to describe the solidarity among neighbors or within a local community.
• 雪中送炭 (xuě zhōng sòng tàn) - To send charcoal in snowy weather. Refers to providing timely, desperately needed help to someone else. It's often a one-way act, whereas 同舟共济 implies mutual aid among equals in a shared crisis.
• 隔岸观火 (gé àn guān huǒ) - To watch a fire from the other side of the river; i.e., to watch someone's trouble with indifference and do nothing to help. This is a direct antonym in spirit.