组

• Pinyin: zǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 组 = 纟 (silk radical) + 且 (phonetic component)

Meaning

Group; team; to form or organize. Used as a noun for a small group of people, or as a verb meaning to put together.

As a noun, 组 refers to a small organized group, often in classrooms or workplaces (e.g., 小组 = small group). As a verb, it means to organize or form something. Very common in school settings where students are divided into groups.

Examples

1. 老师让我们分成四个组。 The teacher asked us to split into four groups.
2. 我们组有五个人。 Our group has five people.
3. 你是哪个组的？ Which group are you in?

Usage Guide

Context: school, work, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我们组今天表现很好。(Our group performed well today.)
• 请大家分成三个组。(Please split into three groups, everyone.)

Don't Say

• 我的组是很大。(Don't use 是 with adjectives — say 我们组很大 instead.)

Origin & History

Originally referred to silk cords or ribbons in ancient Chinese. The meaning evolved to 'group' through the idea of things tied or organized together.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal