共共 gòng answers “how many, all together?” — 全全 quán answers “how much of it, completely?” One counts, the other totalizes.
1 Structure
共共 gòng + (V) + Numeral or Quantity
共共 gòng pairs with a number to state a grand total. In daily conversation, it’s more common to say 一共一共 yígòng instead.
共有三十人出席會議共有三十人出席会议
A total of thirty people attended the meeting.
這本書共十五課这本书共十五课
This book consists of a total of fifteen lessons.
我們共完成了十項任務我们共完成了十项任务
We completed a total of ten tasks together.
共攝取了2000大卡的卡路里共摄取了2000大卡的卡路里
In total, 2000 calories were consumed.
兩杯奶茶、五杯咖啡、一個蛋糕，共八樣商品，對嗎？两杯奶茶、五杯咖啡、一个蛋糕，共八样商品，对吗？
Two cups of milk tea, five cups of coffee, one cake — totaling eight items, right?
這場意外共死了35人这场意外共死了35人
This accident resulted in a total of 35 deaths.
The Number That Can’t Be Spoken Of
There’s a theory that circulates among Chinese internet users: that official reports of accidental deaths never seem to exceed 35 people, no matter how serious the incident. Some speculate the number functions as an unofficial ceiling, with rumors suggesting officials could face consequences if a death toll were reported any higher. Whether or not the theory holds up, netizens have pointed to a suspicious pattern — several unrelated incidents over the years have all been reported as resulting in exactly “35 deaths.”
全全 quán + Noun
全全 quán goes directly in front of a noun to emphasize the whole, undivided entirety of it — commonly paired with words like 家家 (family), 國国 (country), 世界世界 (world), 身身 (body), and 公司公司 (company). It can’t take 的的.
全家人都很期待這次的旅行全家人都很期待这次的旅行
The whole family is looking forward to this trip.
這個消息很快就傳遍了全公司这个消息很快就传遍了全公司
This news quickly spread throughout the whole company.
運動完以後，我全身都是汗运动完以后，我全身都是汗
After exercising, my whole body was covered in sweat.
這種病毒已經影響了全世界这种病毒已经影响了全世界
This virus has already affected the whole world.
我的看法，他全都不同意我的看法，他全都不同意
He doesn’t agree with any of my views at all.
這些照片全都存在我的手機裡这些照片全都存在我的手机里
All of these photos are stored on my phone.
2 共共 gòng vs 全全 quán
Both express completeness, but they attach to different things.
|
共共 gòng |
全全 quán |
| Pairs with |
A number or quantity |
A noun |
| Focus |
The sum — “how many, all together” |
The whole — “all of it, undivided” |
| Common form |
一共一共 yígòng (more common in speech) |
全都全都 quándōu (adds emphasis) |
| With 的的 |
Not applicable |
❌ Not allowed |
Also Worth Knowing
總共总共 zǒnggòng is another common synonym for 一共一共 yígòng — you’ll hear it constantly when totaling up a bill, e.g. 總共多少錢？总共多少钱？ (“How much in total?”). It carries a slightly more deliberate feel than 一共, emphasizing the act of adding everything up to reach a final number.
3 Common Mistakes
全全 quán can’t attach directly to a number the way 共共 gòng does.
❌
全五人都出席了會議全五人都出席了会议
✅
共五人都出席了會議共五人都出席了会议
To state a specific count, use 共共 gòng (or 一共一共 yígòng). Save 全全 quán for describing the whole of a noun — e.g. 全公司全公司 (“the whole company”) — not a specific number of people.
4 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01Our company has a total of two hundred employees.
我們公司共有兩百名員工我们公司共有两百名员工
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02The whole city was shocked by the incident.
全城都被這起事件震驚了全城都被这起事件震惊了
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03I spent a total of three years learning Chinese.
我共花了三年學中文我共花了三年学中文
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04The whole team worked overtime to finish the project.
全隊都加班完成了這個專案全队都加班完成了这个专案
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05This month we sold a total of five hundred cups of coffee.
這個月我們共賣出了五百杯咖啡这个月我们共卖出了五百杯咖啡
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06The whole building was evacuated because of the fire.
因為火災，全棟大樓都被疏散了因为火灾，全栋大楼都被疏散了
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07So far, I have read a total of twenty books this year.
到目前為止，我今年共讀了二十本書到目前为止，我今年共读了二十本书
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08Everyone in the whole class passed the exam.
全班都通過了考試全班都通过了考试
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09The two companies have a total of 1000 employees combined.
兩家公司共有一千名員工两家公司共有一千名员工
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10The whole neighborhood lost power last night.
昨晚全社區都停電了昨晚全社区都停电了
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