Chinese Character: 共
1. Character Basics
Radical: 八 (bā, eight, indicates related to division or sharing)
Stroke Count: 6
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Gòng (Fourth tone) or Gōng (First tone)
3. Meaning
Core Meaning: Common; together; shared; total; all; to share; to have in common; altogether
The character 共 (gòng/gōng) primarily conveys the idea of sharing, togetherness, or something that is common to multiple entities. As a verb, it means to share or have in common; as an adjective or adverb, it means common, together, or total.
4. Common Words
- 共同 (Gòngtóng) - Common; together; joint
Example: 我们有共同的目标。(Wǒmen yǒu gòngtóng de mùbiāo.) - We have common goals. - 共有 (Gòngyǒu) - To share; to own jointly; common ownership
Example: 这是我们共有的财产。(Zhè shì wǒmen gòngyǒu de cáichǎn.) - This is our jointly owned property. - 总共 (Zǒnggòng) - In total; altogether
Example: 我们总共五个人。(Wǒmen zǒnggòng wǔ gè rén.) - There are five of us in total. - 公共 (Gōnggòng) - Public; common
Example: 这是一个公共图书馆。(Zhè shì yīgè gōnggòng túshūguǎn.) - This is a public library. - 共享 (Gòngxiǎng) - To share; sharing
Example: 我们应该共享资源。(Wǒmen yīnggāi gòngxiǎng zīyuán.) - We should share resources.
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Can be used as a verb, adjective, adverb, or prefix
Usage Patterns:
- As a verb: 共享 (to share), 共有 (to own jointly)
- As an adjective: 共同 (common), 公共 (public)
- As an adverb: 总共 (in total), 一共 (altogether)
- As a prefix: 共产党 (Communist Party), 共青团 (Communist Youth League)
Common Collocations:
- 共同努力 (Gòngtóng nǔlì) - Joint efforts
- 公共场合 (Gōnggòng chǎnghé) - Public places
- 共享经济 (Gòngxiǎng jīngjì) - Sharing economy
- 总共多少 (Zǒnggòng duōshǎo) - How much in total
- 共识 (Gòngshí) - Consensus
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the character 共 (gòng/gōng) carries several important cultural connotations:
- Collective Harmony: The concept of 共同 (gòngtóng) reflects the Chinese cultural value of collective harmony and working together towards common goals.
- Community Spirit: Phrases like 共享 (gòngxiǎng) emphasize the importance of sharing resources and supporting one another within a community.
- Social Responsibility: The idea of 公共利益 (gōnggòng lìyì) (public interest) highlights the importance of considering the greater good in Chinese society.
- Historical Significance: In modern Chinese history, 共 has special significance as part of terms like 共产党 (Communist Party) and 共和国 (Republic).
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
我们应该共同解决这个问题。
Wǒmen yīnggāi gòngtóng jiějué zhège wèntí.
We should solve this problem together.
Example 2:
这个公园是公共设施。
Zhège gōngyuán shì gōnggòng shèshī.
This park is a public facility.
Example 3:
我们总共需要完成十项任务。
Wǒmen zǒnggòng xūyào wánchéng shí xiàng rènwù.
We need to complete ten tasks in total.
8. Memory Tips
Here are some tips to help you remember the character 共 (gòng/gōng):
- Component Breakdown: The character consists of two parts:
- (a variant of 八, bā, eight) on top
- 冃 (mào, hat) on the bottom
- Visual Association: Imagine people sharing or having something in common under a roof, which connects to the meaning of togetherness or sharing.
- Mnemonic Sentence: "八人共顶一片天，和谐共处一家亲" (Bā rén gòng dǐng yī piàn tiān, héxié gòngchǔ yī jiā qīn) - "Eight people share the same sky, living in harmony like a family."
- Stroke Order Practice: Write the character following this order:
- 一 (horizontal stroke) - top
- 丨 (vertical stroke) - left side
- 丿 (pie) - top right
- 一 (horizontal stroke) - middle
- 丨 (vertical stroke) - right side
- 一 (horizontal stroke) - bottom