同意

• Pinyin: tóng yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 同 = 冂 (enclosure) + 口 (mouth), originally depicting people speaking together; 意 = 音 (sound) + 心 (heart)

Meaning

To agree; to approve; to consent. Expresses acceptance of an opinion, proposal, or request.

The most standard and widely used word for expressing agreement. Used in both casual and formal contexts. Can take a noun object or a clause. The negative 不同意 is commonly used for disagreement or refusal.

Examples

1. 我同意你的看法。 I agree with your view.
2. 妈妈同意我去同学家玩。 Mum agreed to let me go to my classmate's house to play.
3. 大家都同意这个方案。 Everyone agreed on this plan.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, discussion, decision-making

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我完全同意你说的。(I completely agree with what you said.)
• 老板同意了我的请假。(The boss approved my leave request.)

Don't Say

• 我很同意。(Don't say 很同意 — 同意 cannot be modified by degree adverbs like 很. Say 我完全同意 or 我非常同意.)

Origin & History

同 (same; together) + 意 (idea; intention). Literally 'same idea', expressing that one shares the same opinion or intention.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal