统一 (tǒngyī) — unification, unified, to unify

统一 (tǒngyī)

统一 refers to the act of unifying or standardizing, bringing diverse elements together into a single coherent whole, and can describe both political unification and conceptual or operational standardization.

Meanings

1. [verb] to unify, to unite, to standardize
2. [adjective] unified, uniform, standard
3. [noun] unification, unity

Example Sentences

秦始皇统一了六国，建立了中国历史上第一个中央集权国家。 Qín shǐ huáng tǒngyī le liù guó, jiànlì le Zhōngguó lìshǐ shàng dì yīgè zhōngyāng jíquán guójiā. Qin Shi Huang unified the six states and established the first centralized state in Chinese history.

公司要求所有部门统一使用同一套管理系统。 Gōngsī yāoqiú suǒyǒu bùmén tǒngyī shǐyòng tóng yī tào guǎnlǐ xìtǒng. The company requires all departments to uniformly use the same management system.

这次会议旨在统一各方的意见，形成共识。 Zhè cì huìyì zhǐ zài tǒngyī gè fāng de yìjiàn, xíngchéng gòngshí. This meeting aims to unify the opinions of all parties and form a consensus.

祖国统一是中华民族的共同心愿。 Zǔguó tǒngyī shì Zhōnghuá mínzú de gòngtóng xīnyuàn. The unification of the motherland is the common wish of the Chinese nation.

统一的标准有助于国际贸易的顺利进行。 Tǒngyī de biāozhǔn yǒuzhù yú guójì màoyì de shùnlì jìnxíng. Unified standards contribute to the smooth conduct of international trade.

思想的统一是一个团队高效运作的基础。 Sīxiǎng de tǒngyī shì yīgè tuánduì gāoxiào yùnzuò de jīchǔ. Unity of thought is the foundation for a team to operate efficiently.

Collocations

Usage Notes

统一 is a multifunctional word used as a verb, adjective, and noun. In political contexts, it refers to territorial or national unification and carries great historical and emotional weight in Chinese discourse. In administrative and business contexts, it means standardization or uniform application of rules. The adjective use (统一的标准, unified standards) implies consistency and order across a system.

At B2 level, understanding both the political and the administrative/operational senses of 统一 is important for reading Chinese news and academic texts.

Memory Hook

统 means to govern or control the whole, and 一 means one -- 统一 is to bring everything under one rule, like a conductor uniting all the instruments of an orchestra into one harmonious sound.