In 15 Seconds
- Combine all energy for one goal.
- Emphasizes maximum collective effort.
- Best for significant, challenging tasks.
- Sounds committed and powerful.
Meaning
This phrase means to combine everyone's strength and effort to achieve a common goal. It's more than just teamwork; it's about pooling all your energy and resources, like a united front against a challenge. Think of it as a powerful, coordinated effort where everyone is pulling in the same direction.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about a group project
这个项目我们必须通力合作才能按时完成!
We must work together with full effort on this project to finish it on time!
Company internal announcement
为了实现公司今年的目标,需要全体部门通力合作。
To achieve the company's goals this year, all departments need to work together with full effort.
Encouraging volunteers
大家请放心,只要我们通力合作,一定能把这次活动办好!
Everyone, please rest assured, as long as we work together with full effort, we can definitely make this event a success!
Cultural Background
The concept of `通力合作` is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, emphasizing collectivism and the idea that a united group is stronger than individuals. It reflects historical periods where community survival depended on shared labor and mutual support, like agricultural farming or large-scale construction projects. This phrase embodies the belief that by pooling all available strength (`通力`), people can overcome any obstacle.
Amplify Your Impact
Use `通力合作` when you want to convey that the *entirety* of everyone's effort is crucial, not just participation.
Avoid Overkill!
Don't use `通力合作` for simple tasks like ordering food or casual chats. It sounds way too serious, like bringing a tank to a picnic.
In 15 Seconds
- Combine all energy for one goal.
- Emphasizes maximum collective effort.
- Best for significant, challenging tasks.
- Sounds committed and powerful.
What It Means
通力合作 (tōng lì hé zuò) is all about synergy! It’s not just working together; it’s about everyone bringing their absolute best to the table. Imagine a team facing a huge project. They don't just divide tasks; they pour all their energy and skills into one unified push. It’s the ultimate collaborative effort, making sure every ounce of collective power is used effectively. It’s the feeling of "we’ve got this, together!"
How To Use It
Use 通力合作 when you need to emphasize a significant, unified effort. It’s perfect for situations where success hinges on everyone contributing fully. Think about launching a new product, organizing a massive event, or even tackling a tough academic assignment. You can use it in speeches, team meetings, or even casual chats when you want to highlight the power of combined effort. It sounds pretty impressive, right?
Formality & Register
This phrase leans towards the formal side, but it's not stuffy. You’d use it in professional settings, formal speeches, or written reports where you want to sound serious and committed. It’s also perfectly fine in semi-formal situations, like a group project presentation or a community meeting. It’s a bit too grand for a quick text about grabbing coffee, but great for a planning email. It’s like wearing a nice blazer – appropriate for many occasions but not your everyday t-shirt.
Real-Life Examples
- A company CEO might say: "为了完成这个艰巨的任务,我们需要全体员工
通力合作。" (To complete this arduous task, we need all employees to work together with full effort.) - A teacher might encourage students: "这次的毕业设计需要你们
通力合作才能成功。" (This graduation project requires you all to work together with full effort to succeed.) - A community organizer might rally volunteers: "让我们
通力合作,把社区活动办得有声有色!" (Let's work together with full effort to make the community event a resounding success!)
When To Use It
This phrase shines when you want to:
- Motivate a group towards a challenging goal.
- Describe a successful, highly coordinated team effort.
- Emphasize the importance of collective contribution.
- Highlight unity in the face of adversity.
- Show appreciation for a team that truly pulled together. It's like saying, "Wow, you guys really nailed the teamwork!"
When NOT To Use It
Avoid 通力合作 for:
- Casual, everyday tasks (like deciding where to eat).
- Situations where only one or two people are doing the work.
- Expressing simple agreement or basic teamwork.
- Complaining about a lack of effort (it's too positive for that!).
- When you want to sound super laid-back and casual. It might sound a bit much, like bringing a marching band to a quiet library.
Common Mistakes
- ✗
我们一起合作→ ✓我们通力合作(Using a simpler phrase when the situation demands more emphasis on collective power.) - ✗
大家一起努力→ ✓大家通力合作(While similar,通力合作specifically implies pooling *all* strengths and resources, not just general effort.) - ✗
通力一起合作→ ✓通力合作(Redundant –通力already means "all strength".)
Common Variations
While 通力合作 is quite standard, you might hear variations in emphasis or context:
齐心协力(qí xīn xié lì): Means "work together with one heart." Very similar, also emphasizes unity.精诚合作(jīng chéng hé zuò): "Sincere and close cooperation." Focuses more on the quality of the relationship.同舟共济(tóng zhōu gòng jì): "Cross a river in the same boat." Implies facing shared danger or hardship together.
Real Conversations
Scenario
Friend A: "这个惊喜派对的准备工作好多啊!我们能按时完成吗?" (There's so much to prepare for this surprise party! Can we finish on time?)
Friend B: "别担心!只要我们通力合作,一定没问题。你负责蛋糕,我去联系场地。" (Don't worry! As long as we work together with full effort, it'll be fine. You handle the cake, I'll contact the venue.)
Scenario
Team Lead: "大家看,这个项目挑战很大,但如果我们通力合作,肯定能做出最好的成果。" (Everyone, look, this project is very challenging, but if we work together with full effort, we can definitely produce the best results.)
Team Member: "没错!我负责数据分析,谁来帮我一起处理图表?" (Exactly! I'll handle data analysis, who can help me with the charts?)
Quick FAQ
- What's the vibe of
通力合作? It feels energetic and determined, like a united force. - Is it formal? Generally yes, but can be used in semi-formal settings.
- Can I use it in a text message? Probably too formal, unless it's a serious group project chat.
- Does it mean just 'teamwork'? It's stronger than basic teamwork; it implies maximum effort from everyone.
- What if someone isn't contributing? This phrase assumes everyone *is* contributing fully. It's not for describing a dysfunctional team!
Usage Notes
This phrase is best reserved for situations demanding significant collective effort and commitment. While it can appear in semi-formal contexts, its primary home is in professional or official communications where a strong sense of unity and purpose needs to be conveyed. Avoid using it for casual activities or simple agreements, as it might sound overly grand or misplaced.
Amplify Your Impact
Use `通力合作` when you want to convey that the *entirety* of everyone's effort is crucial, not just participation.
Avoid Overkill!
Don't use `通力合作` for simple tasks like ordering food or casual chats. It sounds way too serious, like bringing a tank to a picnic.
The Power of Unity
This phrase reflects a core Chinese value: collective strength. Emphasizing `通力合作` shows respect for group harmony and shared responsibility.
Context is Key
Pair `通力合作` with words like '目标' (goal), '挑战' (challenge), or '成功' (success) to make its meaning crystal clear.
Examples
12这个项目我们必须通力合作才能按时完成!
We must work together with full effort on this project to finish it on time!
Emphasizes the necessity of full cooperation for a deadline.
为了实现公司今年的目标,需要全体部门通力合作。
To achieve the company's goals this year, all departments need to work together with full effort.
Formal context highlighting departmental unity for business objectives.
大家请放心,只要我们通力合作,一定能把这次活动办好!
Everyone, please rest assured, as long as we work together with full effort, we can definitely make this event a success!
Builds confidence by stressing the power of collective action.
看到邻居们通力合作,共同美化社区,真是太棒了! #社区力量
Seeing neighbors work together with full effort to beautify the community is truly wonderful! #CommunityPower
Highlights positive community spirit and shared effort.
主角们必须通力合作,才能打败最终的大魔王。
The protagonists must work together with full effort to defeat the final big boss.
Used in a pop culture context (gaming/movies) to describe a critical team effort.
这次活动的成功离不开大家的通力合作,我非常感动。
The success of this event is inseparable from everyone's full cooperation, I am very moved.
Conveys deep appreciation for a significant, unified effort.
请描述一次您在团队中通力合作,克服困难的经历。
Please describe an experience where you worked together with full effort in a team to overcome difficulties.
Standard interview question probing teamwork and problem-solving skills.
✗ 我们一起合作 → ✓ 我们通力合作
✗ We cooperate together → ✓ We work together with full effort
Using `通力合作` when simple `一起合作` would suffice, making it sound overly dramatic.
✗ 我们通力一起合作 → ✓ 我们通力合作
✗ We through strength together cooperate → ✓ We work together with full effort
Adding `一起` (together) is redundant because `通力合作` already implies togetherness.
这次家庭旅行的行程安排,需要我们大家通力合作才能做得尽善尽美。
Arranging the itinerary for this family trip requires all of us to work together with full effort to make it perfect.
Applies the phrase to a personal, albeit complex, planning scenario.
只有我们所有玩家通力合作,才能打败这个最终Boss!
Only if all of us players work together with full effort can we defeat this final Boss!
Common in gaming communities to rally players for a difficult challenge.
国家的繁荣昌盛,离不开每一位公民的通力合作。
The prosperity and strength of the nation are inseparable from the full cooperation of every citizen.
Elevated language for a significant topic, emphasizing national unity.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
`通力合作` means to combine all efforts for a common goal, which fits the context of completing a difficult task.
Choose the sentence that uses `通力合作` correctly.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Option B correctly uses `通力合作` to describe a necessary collective effort for project success. Options A, C, and D use it inappropriately for casual actions, individual work, or simple assistance.
Find and fix the error in the sentence.
The word `一起` (together) is redundant here because `通力合作` already implies working together with full strength.
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate phrase.
`通力合作` is the best fit for overcoming unprecedented challenges by combining all efforts, contrasting with options that suggest individual opinions, shirking responsibility, or benefiting without effort.
Translate this sentence into English.
The phrase `通力合作` emphasizes pooling all available energy and resources, hence 'work together with full effort' captures this meaning well.
Find and fix the error in the sentence.
`通力合作` implies multiple people working together; it cannot be used to describe a single person's effort.
Choose the sentence that best reflects the nuance of `通力合作`.
Which sentence best reflects the nuance of 'pooling all strengths'?
Option B correctly implies a critical, high-stakes situation where maximum collective effort is required for victory. The other options misuse the phrase for casual activities, inappropriate contexts, or negative outcomes.
Translate this sentence into English, paying attention to the tone.
`通力合作` implies a unified, coordinated effort where all members contribute their maximum, making 'concerted effort' a fitting translation in a formal context.
🎉 Score: /8
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 通力合作
Too formal for everyday chats.
Let's grab lunch.
Still a bit too formal for texting friends.
We need to finish this homework.
Appropriate for group projects or club meetings.
Our club needs to work together to organize the event.
Ideal for professional settings, speeches, and reports.
为了实现公司目标,我们需要全体员工通力合作。
Where You'll Hear '通力合作'
Business Strategy Meeting
To meet Q4 targets, all departments must通力合作.
Community Project Planning
Let's通力合作 to clean up the park this weekend!
Academic Group Project
This thesis requires us to通力合作 effectively.
Sports Team Pep Talk
We need to通力合作 to win this championship!
Disaster Relief Effort
Only by通力合作 can we overcome this flood.
Movie/Game Plot
The heroes must通力合作 to defeat the villain.
Comparing Teamwork Phrases
Scenarios for '通力合作'
Professional
- • Company-wide goals
- • Cross-departmental projects
- • Major product launches
Community
- • Volunteer drives
- • Local event organization
- • Neighborhood improvement
Academic
- • Group research
- • Thesis projects
- • Class presentations
High-Stakes Endeavors
- • Sports championships
- • Crisis management
- • Challenging expeditions
Practice Bank
8 exercises为了完成这个艰巨的任务,我们需要大家 ___________。
`通力合作` means to combine all efforts for a common goal, which fits the context of completing a difficult task.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Option B correctly uses `通力合作` to describe a necessary collective effort for project success. Options A, C, and D use it inappropriately for casual actions, individual work, or simple assistance.
Find and fix the mistake:
我们应该通力一起合作来完成这个项目。
The word `一起` (together) is redundant here because `通力合作` already implies working together with full strength.
面对前所未有的挑战,唯有全体成员 ___________,才能共渡难关。
`通力合作` is the best fit for overcoming unprecedented challenges by combining all efforts, contrasting with options that suggest individual opinions, shirking responsibility, or benefiting without effort.
为了实现这个宏伟的目标,我们需要大家通力合作。
Hints: Think about 'all hands on deck'., Focus on 'full strength'.
The phrase `通力合作` emphasizes pooling all available energy and resources, hence 'work together with full effort' captures this meaning well.
Find and fix the mistake:
他一个人通力合作完成了整个报告。
`通力合作` implies multiple people working together; it cannot be used to describe a single person's effort.
Which sentence best reflects the nuance of 'pooling all strengths'?
Option B correctly implies a critical, high-stakes situation where maximum collective effort is required for victory. The other options misuse the phrase for casual activities, inappropriate contexts, or negative outcomes.
这项研究的成功,正是我们团队通力合作的成果。
Hints: 'Concerted effort' captures the unified action., Consider synonyms for 'work together'.
`通力合作` implies a unified, coordinated effort where all members contribute their maximum, making 'concerted effort' a fitting translation in a formal context.
🎉 Score: /8
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
18 questionsLiterally, 通力合作 translates to 'through strength cooperation'. 通 means 'through' or 'all', 力 means 'strength' or 'effort', and 合作 means 'cooperation'. So, it implies cooperating using all available strength.
Yes, 通力合作 is generally considered a formal or semi-formal expression. You'd typically use it in professional settings, official announcements, or when discussing significant group efforts.
It's best to avoid using 通力合作 in very casual conversations. While understandable, it might sound overly serious or dramatic for everyday situations like planning a movie night.
一起合作 (yì qǐ hé zuò) simply means 'to cooperate together'. 通力合作 is much stronger, emphasizing that *all* available energy and resources are being pooled for a common, often challenging, goal.
Use 通力合作 when you want to highlight a significant, unified effort required to overcome a major challenge or achieve an ambitious goal. It's perfect for motivating teams or describing successful collaborative projects.
While 通力合作 itself is positive, it can describe the necessary collective action needed to overcome a negative situation, like a natural disaster or economic crisis. The cooperation is the solution, not the problem.
The emotional tone is one of determination, unity, and shared purpose. It conveys a sense of power and commitment, suggesting that the group is serious and focused on achieving success together.
The core meaning of 通力合作 is consistent across Mandarin-speaking regions. However, its frequency of use might vary; in some contexts, simpler phrases like 大家一起努力 might be more common colloquially.
通力合作 strongly implies synergy, the concept that the combined output is greater than the sum of individual efforts. It means everyone is contributing their utmost to create a powerful, unified force.
No, 通力合作 inherently requires multiple people working together. Using it for an individual effort is a common mistake, as the phrase emphasizes collective strength.
A frequent mistake is using it for trivial matters or simple teamwork, making the expression sound inappropriately grand. For instance, saying 'We need to 通力合作 to pick a movie' is an overstatement.
There isn't a direct informal equivalent that captures the exact nuance. For general teamwork, you might use 大家一起加油 (everyone let's cheer each other on) or simply 一起干 (let's do it together), but these lack the emphasis on 'all strength'.
通力 (tōng lì) by itself means 'all strength' or 'full effort'. When combined with 合作 (cooperation), it specifies that this cooperation involves maximum collective power.
同舟共济 (tóng zhōu gòng jì) means 'to cross a river in the same boat', emphasizing shared hardship and mutual dependence, often in a dangerous situation. 通力合作 focuses more broadly on pooling all efforts for any significant goal, not necessarily a shared peril.
Yes, 通力合作 is very suitable for professional emails, especially when rallying a team or outlining project requirements. It adds a formal and determined tone to your message.
The opposite would be actions that involve lack of cooperation or individual effort, such as 各自为战 (gè zì wéi zhàn - each fights their own battle) or 分崩离析 (fēn bēng lí xī - falling apart, disintegrating).
Not directly. While a leader might call for 通力合作, the phrase itself focuses on the collective action of the group, not necessarily the direction from a specific leader.
Try using it in hypothetical scenarios, like planning a fictional event or discussing a challenging task with a study partner. Write sentences describing situations where maximum teamwork is needed.
Related Phrases
齐心协力
synonymWork together with one heart
Both phrases emphasize unity and collective effort, but `齐心协力` focuses more on shared mindset and emotional alignment.
精诚合作
related topicCooperate sincerely and closely
This phrase focuses on the quality of the relationship (sincerity, closeness) within the cooperation, complementing the effort-focused `通力合作`.
分工合作
related topicDivide work and cooperate
This describes the practical aspect of teamwork where tasks are divided, which is often a precursor to the unified effort implied by `通力合作`.
各自为战
antonymEach fights their own battle
This phrase represents the opposite of collective effort, describing a situation where individuals work independently without coordination.
同舟共济
related topicCross a river in the same boat
This idiom highlights shared hardship and mutual reliance, often in a crisis, which is a specific context where `通力合作` might be employed.
携手并进
synonymAdvance hand in hand
Similar to `通力合作`, it implies moving forward together, but `携手并进` often carries a slightly more progressive or forward-looking connotation.