球队

• Pinyin: qiú duì
• Hanzi breakdown: 球 (qiú) — ball; 队 (duì) = 阝(hill radical) + 人 (person), meaning a group or team

Meaning

Sports team; ball team. A team that plays ball sports such as football, basketball, or volleyball.

A general term for any team that plays ball-based sports. Used for professional teams, school teams, and casual teams. Common in conversation about sports events, competitions, and fandom. Can be specified with the sport: 足球队 (football team), 篮球队 (basketball team).

Examples

1. 我们学校的球队很强。 Our school's team is very strong.
2. 他是球队的队长。 He is the captain of the team.
3. 这支球队赢了比赛。 This team won the match.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, school, competitions

Tone: enthusiastic

Do Say

• 你加入了哪个球队？(Which team did you join?)
• 我们球队明天有比赛。(Our team has a match tomorrow.)

Don't Say

• 不要用球队来指个人球员 (球队 refers to the whole team, not an individual player — use 球员 for a single player)

Origin & History

球 (qiú, ball) + 队 (duì, team/group). Literally 'ball team' — a group of people who play a ball sport together.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal