The subject must be in plural form (e.g., using a plural pronoun like 我們们 wǒmen or linking multiple people with 跟 gēn/和 hé). 一起 yìqǐ is standard and formal, while 一塊 yíkuài一块儿 yíkuàir is informal and widely used in Northern China!
1 Structure
The subject must be in plural form. This can be achieved by using a plural noun or by linking two or more nouns with a conjunction.
S + 一起 yìqǐ + V + O
一起 yìqǐ is commonly used in both Taiwan and China. It is considered more formal than 一塊 yíkuài一块儿 yíkuàir.
他們常常一起讀書一起玩。他们常常一起读书一起玩儿。
They often study and play together.
我們一起去海邊玩好嗎？我们一起去海边玩儿好吗？
Shall we go to the beach together and have fun?
你要不要跟我一起去中國工作？你要不要跟我一起去中国工作？
Would you like to come with me to work in China?
S + V + 在 zài + 一起 yìqǐ
This structure is typically used with non-action verbs or verbs of state, such as hang, put, live, sleep, and so on.
我的狗跟貓睡在一起。我的狗跟猫睡在一起。
My dog sleeps together with the cat.
他們從小玩在一起。他们从小玩儿在一起。
They have been playing together since childhood.
書、筆跟手機都放在一起。书、笔跟手机都放在一起。
Books, pens, and mobile phones are all placed together.
S + 一塊 yíkuài一块儿 yíkuàir + V + O
It is less formal and is often used in colloquial speech in Northern China.
我們一塊加油！我们一块儿加油！
Let’s cheer together!
妹妹跟媽媽一塊去超市了。妹妹跟妈妈一块儿去超市了。
My younger sister went to the supermarket with my mom.
夏天大家一塊去日本玩怎麼樣？夏天大家一块儿去日本玩儿怎么样？
How about all of us going to Japan together in the summer?
S + V + 在 zài + 一塊 yíkuài一块儿 yíkuàir
他們四個人住在一塊。他们四个人住在一块儿。
They all live together.
你們別總是待在一塊。你们别总是待在一块儿。
Don’t always stay together.
夏天太熱，巧克力全黏在一塊。夏天太热，巧克力全黏在一块儿。
It’s so hot in the summer that the chocolate melts together.
2 Modern Usage
S + 在一起 zài yìqǐ + 了 le
It means they have started a romantic relationship or have become a couple.
聽說老闆和秘書在一起了。听说老板和秘书在一起了。
I heard that the boss and the secretary are together now.
你還不知道嗎？他們倆已經沒在一起了。你还不知道吗？他们俩已经没在一起了。
Don’t you know yet? They are no longer together.
你們在一起多久了？你们在一起多久了？
How long have you been together?
Cultural Note: What “在一起” Really Means
In both Taiwan and China, saying two people are 在一起 (zài yìqǐ) usually implies they’ve officially confirmed they’re boyfriend and girlfriend — not just dating casually or seeing each other regularly. Typically, one person has to formally ask the other (“confess,” or 告白 gàobái / 表白 biǎobái) and get a clear yes before the relationship counts as 在一起了 (zài yìqǐ le). So when someone asks 你們在一起了嗎你们在一起了吗 (“Are you two together yet?” — nǐmen zài yìqǐ le ma), they’re really asking whether the relationship has become official — not just whether you’ve been hanging out.
3 Common Mistakes
一起 yìqǐ can’t stand alone with just an object — you still need 跟/和 to introduce the person you’re doing something with.
❌我我一起一起你你去去。
✅我我跟跟你你一起一起去去。
一起 needs 跟/和 to introduce who you’re doing the action with — it can’t connect directly to a person on its own.
4 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01Do you have time to have a cup of coffee with me?
你有時間跟我一起喝杯咖啡嗎？你有时间跟我一块儿喝杯咖啡吗？
👆 Tap to reveal
02Do you want to watch Netflix with me at my place?
你想不想跟我一起在我家看Netflix？你想不想跟我一块儿在我家看Netflix？
👆 Tap to reveal
03Do you want to come with me to the police station?
你要不要跟我一起去警察局？你要不要跟我一块儿去警察局？
👆 Tap to reveal
04Let’s study Chinese together tonight!
我們今天晚上一起學中文吧！我们今天晚上一块儿学中文吧！
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05They often eat lunch together.
他們常常一起吃午飯。他们常常一块儿吃午饭。
👆 Tap to reveal
06Do you want to travel to Japan together with us?
你想跟我們一起去日本旅遊嗎？你想跟我们一块儿去日本旅游吗？
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07My friends and I live together.
我和朋友住在一起。我和朋友住在一块儿。
👆 Tap to reveal
08Are the two of them together now?
他們倆現在在一起了嗎？他们俩现在在一起了吗？
👆 Tap to reveal
09Let’s go shopping together tomorrow!
我們明天一起去逛街吧！我们明天一块儿去逛街吧！
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10Why are all these books put together?
這些書為什麼都放在一起？这些书为什么都放在一块儿？
👆 Tap to reveal
