团聚
tuánjù
The English phrase "reunite" is translated into Chinese as 团聚 (tuánjù).
The verb 团聚 is most commonly used to describe family members or close loved ones coming together after a period of separation.
Meaning: transitive (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 团 (tuán), meaning group or circle and 聚 (jù), meaning to gather or assemble.
Which one should you use?
Both 团聚 and 重逢 are formal ways to say "reunite".
How do you pronounce it?
tuánjù
When do people say it?
Chinese culture places great importance on family reunions, especially during festivals like Chinese New Year (春节).
Did you know?
- During a reunion, it is common to eat 'tangyuan' (汤圆), which are sweet rice balls that visually represent the roundness and completeness of the word 团.
- The concept of 团聚 is often expressed through the shape of a circle. This is why traditional reunion dinners are almost always served at round tables, as a square table would symbolically 'break' the unity of the family.
- While 团聚 describes the act of reuniting, the term 团圆 is often used as a wish. During festivals, people wish each other 团团圆圆, repeating the characters to emphasize an abundance of happiness and togetherness.
Examples in context
- 我们多年后终于团聚了。After many years, we finally reunited.
- 他们在机场重逢了。They reunited at the airport.
- 我们和好如初了。We have reunited and are back to how we were before.
- 全家人终于团聚了。The whole family finally reunited.
- 他们终于在异国他乡团聚了。Tāmen zhōngyú zài yìguó tāxiāng tuánjù le.They finally reunited in a foreign land.
- 全家人每年过年都要团聚。Quánjiā rén měinián guònián dōu yào tuánjù.The whole family reunites every Chinese New Year.
- 这次会议是为了让老同学团聚。Zhè cì huìyì shì wèile ràng lǎo tóngxué tuánjù.This meeting is to let old classmates reunite.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a family gathering.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你今年打算什么时候回家团聚？Nǐ jīnnián dǎsuàn shénme shíhòu huíjiā tuánjù?When do you plan to go home to reunite with your family this year?
- 俊杰 Junjie我打算春节的时候回去。Wǒ dǎsuàn Chūnjié de shíhòu huíqù.I plan to go back during the Spring Festival.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那真是太好了。Nà zhēnshì tài hǎole.That is really wonderful.
- 俊杰 Junjie我也很期待和父母团聚。Wǒ yě hěn qīdài hé fùmǔ tuánjù.I am also looking forward to reuniting with my parents.
