一共
yīgòng · HSK 2
in all
➕ 一 (one) + 共 (together) = 'one-together' → altogether, in all
一 means 'one' and 共 means 'together/shared'. Combined, they mean summing things into one total — altogether, in all, all told. Often used before a number to give a final count.
一 — single horizontal stroke
一 is one of the simplest pictographs in Chinese, depicting a single horizontal line to represent the number one. It has retained essentially the same form since oracle bone script over 3,000 years ago. By extension it also means 'first,' 'whole,' or 'same.'
共 — 两手 (廾) holding up an object
共 originally depicted two hands raised together, lifting or offering something jointly. The ancient form showed a vessel or object held up by paired hands, conveying shared action. From 'lifting together' it shifted to mean 'together,' 'common,' or 'share.'