同意

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tóngyì: 同意 - Agree, Consent, Approve

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: Learn how to use “同意” (tóngyì), the essential Chinese word for “to agree,” “consent,” or “approve.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance in seeking harmony, and practical usage in daily conversation and business. Discover the crucial differences between 同意 (tóngyì), 赞成 (zànchéng), and 答应 (dāying) with over 10 clear example sentences to master expressing agreement in Mandarin Chinese.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): tóngyì
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 3
  • Concise Definition: To agree with, consent to, or approve of an opinion, request, or plan.
  • In a Nutshell: 同意 (tóngyì) is the most standard and versatile way to express agreement in Chinese. It signifies that you share the same viewpoint as someone else or are giving your permission for something to happen. Think of it as the foundation for reaching a consensus, whether you're agreeing with a friend's idea or a manager is approving a proposal.

Character Breakdown

  • 同 (tóng): This character means “same,” “alike,” or “together.” Its ancient form depicts a covered container and a mouth (口), suggesting people gathered together and speaking with one voice.
  • 意 (yì): This character means “idea,” “thought,” or “intention.” It's a combination of “sound” (音) on top and “heart” (心) on the bottom. It beautifully represents the “sound of one's heart”—their true thoughts and feelings.
  • Together, 同意 (tóngyì) literally means “same idea” or “shared intention,” which perfectly captures the essence of agreement.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In many Chinese social and business contexts, achieving a state of 同意 (tóngyì) is highly valued as it relates to the core cultural concept of 和谐 (héxié) - harmony. The goal of a discussion is often not to “win” an argument but to find common ground and reach a consensus that everyone can accept. Expressing 同意 is a way to build rapport and maintain smooth relationships.
  • Comparison to Western Culture: While in English, “I agree” is a straightforward statement of fact, in Chinese, expressing 同意 can also carry the weight of granting permission or joining a group consensus. The Western phrase “let's agree to disagree” doesn't have a direct, commonly used equivalent in Chinese culture, as the focus is typically on resolving differences to arrive at a shared understanding, rather than highlighting a persistent disagreement. Stating 不同意 (bù tóngyì - I don't agree) can be more direct and potentially disruptive to group harmony than its English counterpart, so it's often softened with phrases like “Let me think about it” or by proposing an alternative.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Formality: 同意 is a neutral term suitable for a wide range of situations, from casual conversations to formal business meetings. In very informal chats, friends might simply use 嗯 (èn), 对 (duì - right), or 行 (xíng - okay), but 同意 is always a clear and appropriate choice.
  • Giving Permission: It is very common for people in a position of authority (parents, teachers, managers) to use 同意 to grant permission or approve a request.
  • Expressing Opinion: It's the standard way to state that your opinion aligns with someone else's.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我完全同意你的看法。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ wánquán tóngyì nǐ de kànfǎ.
    • English: I completely agree with your viewpoint.
    • Analysis: A standard and clear way to express full agreement with someone's opinion. The adverb 完全 (wánquán - completely) adds emphasis.
  • Example 2:
    • 爸爸同意我下个星期去朋友家。
    • Pinyin: Bàba tóngyì wǒ xià ge xīngqī qù péngyǒu jiā.
    • English: Dad agreed to let me go to my friend's house next week.
    • Analysis: Here, 同意 is used to mean “giving permission” or “consenting.” This is a very common usage for parents or superiors.
  • Example 3:
    • 老板还没有同意我们的新计划。
    • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn hái méiyǒu tóngyì wǒmen de xīn jìhuà.
    • English: The boss hasn't approved our new plan yet.
    • Analysis: This shows 同意 in a business context, meaning “to approve” or “to green-light” a proposal. The negative form uses 还没 (hái méi - not yet).
  • Example 4:
    • 你同意这个决定吗？
    • Pinyin: Nǐ tóngyì zhège juédìng ma?
    • English: Do you agree with this decision?
    • Analysis: A simple question form used to seek someone's agreement or consent.
  • Example 5:
    • 很抱歉，我不能同意你的要求。
    • Pinyin: Hěn bàoqiàn, wǒ bù néng tóngyì nǐ de yāoqiú.
    • English: I'm sorry, I cannot agree to your request.
    • Analysis: A polite but firm way to disagree or deny a request. The phrase 很抱歉 (hěn bàoqiàn - I'm sorry) softens the refusal. This is often more polite than a blunt 我不同意 (wǒ bù tóngyì).
  • Example 6:
    • 只要你努力学习，我就同意给你买个新手机。
    • Pinyin: Zhǐyào nǐ nǔlì xuéxí, wǒ jiù tóngyì gěi nǐ mǎi ge xīn shǒujī.
    • English: As long as you study hard, I'll agree to buy you a new phone.
    • Analysis: This shows a conditional agreement, using the “只要…就…” (zhǐyào…jiù… - as long as…then…) structure.
  • Example 7:
    • 双方同意在下个月签订合同。
    • Pinyin: Shuāngfāng tóngyì zài xià ge yuè qiāndìng hétóng.
    • English: Both parties agree to sign the contract next month.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 同意 in a formal, legal, or business negotiation context. 双方 (shuāngfāng) means “both parties.”
  • Example 8:
    • 他点了点头，表示同意。
    • Pinyin: Tā diǎn le diǎn tóu, biǎoshì tóngyì.
    • English: He nodded his head, indicating agreement.
    • Analysis: This sentence shows that 同意 can be the *result* or *meaning* of an action. 点头 (diǎn tóu - to nod) is a physical gesture of agreement.
  • Example 9:
    • 我虽然不完全同意，但我尊重你的选择。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ suīrán bù wánquán tóngyì, dàn wǒ zūnzhòng nǐ de xuǎnzé.
    • English: Although I don't completely agree, I respect your choice.
    • Analysis: A nuanced and mature way to express partial disagreement while maintaining a good relationship, a culturally important skill.
  • Example 10:
    • 我们需要得到所有成员的同意才能继续。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào dédào suǒyǒu chéngyuán de tóngyì cái néng jìxù.
    • English: We need to get the consent of all members before we can proceed.
    • Analysis: Here, 同意 is used as a noun, meaning “consent” or “approval.” 得到…的同意 (dédào…de tóngyì) is a common pattern for “to get someone's consent.”

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • 同意 (tóngyì) vs. 明白 (míngbai): A classic beginner mistake is to confuse agreeing with understanding. You can understand someone's point perfectly but not agree with it.
    • Correct: 我明白你的意思，但是我不同意。 (Wǒ míngbai nǐ de yìsi, dànshì wǒ bù tóngyì.) - I understand what you mean, but I don't agree.
    • Incorrect: 我不明白你的看法。 (When you actually mean “I don't agree with your viewpoint.”)
  • 同意 (tóngyì) vs. 赞成 (zànchéng): This is a key nuance.
    • 同意 (tóngyì) means to agree, consent, or not object. It can be passive. You consent to the plan moving forward.
    • 赞成 (zànchéng) means to approve of, to be in favor of, or to endorse. It implies active support and a positive attitude.
    • Example: 经理同意了这个计划，但他最赞成的是另一个方案。 (Jīnglǐ tóngyì le zhège jìhuà, dàn tā zuì zànchéng de shì lìng yīgè fāng'àn.) - The manager consented to this plan (allowed it), but the one he was most in favor of was the other proposal.
  • 同意 (tóngyì) vs. 答应 (dāying):
    • 同意 is often about agreeing with an idea, opinion, or giving general permission.
    • 答应 (dāying) specifically means agreeing to a *request* and implies a promise to perform an action. If you 答应 someone, you've made a commitment.
    • Example: 他答应帮我。 (Tā dāying bāng wǒ.) - He promised/agreed to help me. (Using 同意 here would be awkward).
    • Example: 我同意我们应该帮助他。 (Wǒ tóngyì wǒmen yīnggāi bāngzhù tā.) - I agree that we should help him. (This is about a shared opinion, not a direct promise).

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 不同意 (bù tóngyì) - The direct antonym: to disagree, to not consent.
  • 赞成 (zànchéng) - A close synonym implying active support or being “in favor of” something.
  • 反对 (fǎnduì) - A strong antonym meaning “to oppose” or “to be against,” much more forceful than 不同意.
  • 答应 (dāying) - To agree to a request, to promise to do something.
  • 批准 (pīzhǔn) - A very formal word for “to approve” or “ratify,” used by someone with official authority.
  • 许可 (xǔkě) - To permit, grant a license for. Similar to 批准 but often used for official permits.
  • 可以 (kěyǐ) - “Can,” “may,” “be allowed to.” A common, less formal way to give permission.
  • 没问题 (méi wèntí) - “No problem.” A very casual and common way to agree to a task or request.
  • 和谐 (héxié) - The cultural concept of harmony, which is often the underlying goal of seeking and giving 同意.