童子军
tóng zǐ jūn
In Chinese, the word for scout (as a member of a youth organization) is 童子军 (tóng zǐ jūn).
The term 童子军 is used specifically to refer to members of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or similar youth organizations. It is not used for a general scout performing reconnaissance.
Meaning: member of scouting organizations (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use 童子军 for youth organization members like Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. If you are referring specifically to a military scout or a reconnaissance soldier, use 侦察兵 instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
童子军 is a noun that does not change its form for pluralization. You can use 童子军 to refer to both one scout and multiple scouts.
How do you pronounce it?
tóng zǐ jūn
Did you know?
- While 童子军 refers to the organization, the term 军 means 'army'. This reflects a historical tendency in early 20th-century China to organize youth movements using quasi-military structures.
- While 童子军 means 'scout', the term 童子 was historically used to describe young attendants in the imperial court or divine youths in Taoist mythology.
- In mainland China, the official state-sponsored youth organization is the 中国少年先锋队 or 'Young Pioneers', which serves a similar social role to the 童子军 but is distinct in name and ideology.
Examples in context
- 小童子军们非常勇敢和有纪律性。The young Boy Scouts are very brave and disciplined.
- 他是一名童子军。Tā shì yī míng tóngzǐjūn.He is a scout.
- 童子军的精神很重要。Tóngzǐjūn de jīngshén hěn zhòngyào.The spirit of the scout is very important.
- 我参加了童子军活动。Wǒ cānjiā le tóngzǐjūn huódòng.I participated in scouting activities.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their weekend extracurricular activities.
- 梓涵 Zihan你周末去哪里了？Nǐ zhōumò qù nǎlǐ le?Where did you go this weekend?
- 俊杰 Junjie我去参加童子军集会了。Wǒ qù cānjiā tóngzǐjūn jíhuì le.I went to a scout meeting.
- 梓涵 Zihan那很有趣吧？Nà hěn yǒuqù ba?That was fun, right?
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，非常有趣。Shì de, fēicháng yǒuqù.Yes, it was very fun.
