一起 from HSK Level 1 Vocabulary List

The Chinese word 一起 (yīqǐ) is composed of two characters: 一 (yī), meaning "one," and 起 (qǐ), meaning "to rise" or "to begin." Together, these characters convey the idea of "doing something together" or "at the same time."The word 一起 has been used in Chinese for centuries, and its meaning has remained largely unchanged. In modern Chinese, it is commonly used as a verb, meaning "to do something together" or "to join in." For example, you could say 一起吃饭 (yīqǐ chīfàn) to invite someone to join you for a meal, or 一起学习 (yīqǐ xuéxí) to suggest studying together.一起 can also be used as an adverb, meaning "at the same time" or "simultaneously." For example, you could say 一起出发 (yīqǐ chūfā) to indicate that you are setting off on a journey at the same time, or 一起唱歌 (yīqǐ chànggē) to suggest singing a song together.The word 一起 is a versatile and commonly used word in Chinese. By understanding its etymology and meaning, you can better understand how to use it correctly in your own speech and writing.