组
zǔ
In Chinese, the word for a group (referring to a subset of a culture or society) is 组 (zǔ).
The term 组 is used to describe a subset of people. It is also commonly used to mean a 'set' or 'batch' of objects, such as a batch of products or a set of data.
Meaning: subset of a culture or of a society (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 组 can refer to a group of people, you might encounter other terms depending on the context. 小组 is a common term specifically for a small group, like a study group or a work team. In formal settings, 团体 is used for organized and structured groups such as associations or clubs, while 群组 is a formal term used for groups within social media or online communities. In informal speech, you might hear 一帮人 to mean 'a group of people' or 一堆人 to describe a group or 'heap' of people.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting groups, you can use the measure word 组 or 个, such as 一组 meaning 'one group'.
How do you pronounce it?
zǔ
Did you know?
- In digital contexts, the term for a group or community is often 群 (qún), which literally means a 'flock' of birds or animals, reflecting a natural clustering.
- The simplified form of 组 contains the radical for 'silk' or 'thread', which hints at its original meaning of weaving or organizing separate strands into a single unit.
- If you want to describe a group of people that is very close-knit or a 'clique', you might use 圈子 (quān zi), which literally means 'a circle'.
Examples in context
- 嗯。。。我可以加入你的小组嘛Um… can we join your group?This sentence is useful for asking to join a 组.Tatoeba #4844580 by pig8322, translation #4844478 by Ishao
- Junior，我们为何不一起加入同一个小组呢Junior, why don't we go into a group together?This sentence is useful for suggesting joining a 组 together.Tatoeba #4844585 by pig8322, translation #4844475 by Ishao
- 嗯。。。老师说我们必须加入一个3-5人的小组，所以我们没办法开始工作Well… the teacher said that we have to go into a group of 3-5 people, so this isn't going to work.This sentence is useful for discussing the requirements of joining a 组.Tatoeba #4844582 by pig8322, translation #4844477 by Ishao
- 我加入了一个环保团体。I joined an environmental group.
- 请加入这个讨论群组。Please join this discussion group.
- 这个网站有很多沙滩排球群组。This website has many beach volleyball groups.
- 我昨天晚上跟一群人去看电影。I went to the movies with a group of people last night.
- 他们是一帮人，总是在一起玩。They are a group of people who always hang out together.
- 来开派对的人真多，一堆人挤在一起。There are so many people coming to the party, a bunch of people squeezed together.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Wei and Xiaowen are discussing a project for their class.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，你现在在哪个组？Xiǎowén, nǐ xiànzài zài nǎge zǔ?Xiaowen, which group are you in right now?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我还在找组，你呢？Wǒ hái zài zhǎo zǔ, nǐ ne?I'm still looking for a group, how about you?
- 伟 Wei我的组还差一个人。Wǒ de zǔ hái chà yī gè rén.My group is still missing one person.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen太好了，我想加入你的组！Tài hǎole, wǒ xiǎng jiārù nǐ de zǔ!Great, I want to join your group!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 组, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
