一块儿

• Pinyin: yī kuàir
• Hanzi breakdown: 一 = one; 块 = 土 (earth) + 鬼 (phonetic) — a piece or lump; 儿 = erhua suffix

Meaning

Together; in the same place. A colloquial way to say together, especially common in spoken Mandarin.

An informal synonym of 一起, widely used in northern China and standard spoken Mandarin. The erhua suffix gives it a casual, conversational feel. Often used before a verb to indicate doing something together: 一块儿吃饭, 一块儿去. In southern China, 一起 is more common. Both are interchangeable in most contexts.

Examples

1. 我们一块儿去看电影吧！ Let's go watch a movie together!
2. 他们每天一块儿上课。 They go to class together every day.
3. 你想一块儿吃午饭吗？ Would you like to have lunch together?

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, social

Tone: friendly

Do Say

• 我们一块儿走吧！(Let's go together!)
• 周末一块儿出去玩吧。(Let's go out together this weekend.)

Don't Say

• 在正式书面语中写'一块儿'。(In formal writing, use 一起 or 一同 instead of the colloquial 一块儿)

Origin & History

Literally means one piece or one lump, extended metaphorically to mean in one group or together. The erhua suffix 儿 is characteristic of Beijing Mandarin.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal