一起

• Pinyin: yī qǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 一 = one; 起 = 走 (walk) + 己 (self) — to rise; together they mean 'as one'

Meaning

Together; at the same time. Indicates doing something jointly with others.

Placed before the verb to indicate that an action is performed together with someone. Very commonly paired with 和 or 跟 to specify who you are doing something with. Can also function as a noun meaning 'the same place' in certain fixed expressions.

Examples

1. 我们一起去吃饭吧。 Let's go eat together.
2. 她和朋友一起看电影。 She watched a movie together with her friend.
3. 大家一起唱歌，好不好？ Let's all sing together, shall we?

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, social

Tone: friendly

Do Say

• 我们一起学中文吧！(Let's study Chinese together!)
• 周末我想和你一起去公园。(I want to go to the park with you this weekend.)

Don't Say

• 说'一起我们去'把一起放在主语前面。(Don't put 一起 before the subject — say 我们一起去, not 一起我们去)

Origin & History

Formed from 一 (one) and 起 (to rise/start). The literal image is 'rising as one' — people getting up and acting in unison.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal