一共 yígòng一共 yígòng and 全部 quánbù全部 quánbù both point at “everything,” but from different angles: one adds things up into a number, the other describes a whole set with nothing left out.
一共 yígòng一共 yígòng answers “how many, in total?” — it comes before the verb and the sentence ends in a number. 全部 quánbù全部 quánbù answers “how much of it?” — it pairs with a noun to say every single one of something, no exceptions.
1 Structure
一共 yígòng一共 yígòng sits before the verb and adds things up into a total number. 全部 quánbù全部 quánbù pairs with a noun, and usually needs 都 dōu都 dōu before the verb to show the whole set is included.
一共 yígòng一共 yígòng + (Verb) + Number
This means “altogether” or “in total.” 一共 yígòng一共 yígòng goes right before the verb, and the sentence usually ends with a number or amount.
我們一共有五個人我们一共有五个人
We have five people in total.
這些蘋果一共多少錢？这些苹果一共多少钱？
How much are these apples altogether?
我們班一共有二十個學生我们班一共有二十个学生
Our class has twenty students in total.
你一共買了幾本書？你一共买了几本书？
How many books did you buy in total?
Everyday Phrase
一共多少錢？ Yígòng duōshǎo qián?一共多少钱？ Yígòng duōshǎo qián? (“How much altogether?”) is one of the first useful phrases for shopping and eating out — you’ll hear a cashier or vendor say it constantly, and you can use it right back when it’s your turn to ask.
台灣的原住民一共有17族台湾的原住民一共有17族
There are 17 indigenous tribes in Taiwan altogether.
全部 quánbù全部 quánbù + 都 dōu都 dōu + Verb
This means “all” or “the whole amount.” 全部 quánbù全部 quánbù pairs with a noun, and the verb is usually marked with 都 dōu都 dōu to show nothing is left out.
這些東西全部都是我的这些东西全部都是我的
All of these things are mine.
我把作業全部做完了我把作业全部做完了
I finished all of the homework.
全部的學生都來了全部的学生都来了
All the students came.
他把錢全部花完了他把钱全部花完了
He spent all of the money.
2一共 yígòng一共 yígòng vs 全部 quánbù全部 quánbù
Both point at “everything,” but they attach to different things.
一共 yígòng一共 yígòng
全部 quánbù全部 quánbù
Pairs with
A number or quantity
A noun
Focus
The sum — “how many, all together”
The whole — “every one of it”
Position
Before the verb; number comes after
Before the noun, or before 都 dōu都 dōu + verb
Quick Way to Remember
If a number comes at the end of the sentence, reach for 一共 yígòng一共 yígòng. If you’re describing a group or thing with nothing left out — and there’s no number — reach for 全部 quánbù全部 quánbù.
3 Common Mistakes
全部 quánbù全部 quánbù usually needs 都 dōu都 dōu before the verb — without it, the sentence sounds unfinished.
❌
全部的錢花了全部的钱花了
✅
全部的錢都花了全部的钱都花了
全部 quánbù全部 quánbù describes the whole set, but the verb still needs 都 dōu都 dōu to show the action covers everything — leaving it out makes the sentence feel incomplete.
Also Worth Knowing
Don’t put a number directly after 全部 quánbù全部 quánbù the way you can with 一共 yígòng一共 yígòng. For a specific count, use 一共 yígòng一共 yígòng — save 全部 quánbù全部 quánbù for describing the whole of something without counting it.
4 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
