共
altogether, in total (formal)
Structure
共 + (动词) + 数量
What it means
“Altogether, in total”: the short, formal way to say 一共 or 总共.
How it is built
共 + verb (often 有) + number, or 共 + number: 这次考试共三十道题 (This exam has thirty questions in all).
When to use it
You see it on signs, notices and receipts and in formal writing: 共有两百多家店参加. In everyday talk 一共 or 总共 sounds more natural.
Watch out
Bare 共 sounds stiff in casual speech: ask 一共多少钱？ It goes right before the verb or the number.
Examples
这次促销共有两百多家店参加。
Over 200 shops in all are taking part in this promotion.
这次活动共送出一百条毛巾。
This promotion gave away 100 towels in total.
这次考试共三十道题。
This exam has thirty questions in all.
Learn this in HSK 4 · Lesson 4: 打八折 (Sales and complaints)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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