球迷

• Pinyin: qiú mí
• Hanzi breakdown: 球 = 王 (jade/ball) + 求 (seek, phonetic), meaning ball; 迷 = 辶 (walk) + 米 (rice, phonetic), meaning obsessed or fan

Meaning

Sports fan; ball game enthusiast. A person who is passionate about a ball sport, especially football or basketball.

The 迷 pattern means 'fan' or 'enthusiast' and extends beyond sports: 歌迷 (music fan), 影迷 (film fan). 球迷 most commonly refers to football (soccer) fans in China, but also basketball and other ball sports. Can describe casual supporters or die-hard fans. Very common in sports news and conversation.

Examples

1. 今晚的比赛吸引了几万名球迷到现场。 Tonight's match attracted tens of thousands of fans to the venue.
2. 他是一个很疯狂的足球球迷。 He is a really crazy football fan.
3. 球迷们激动地为自己的球队加油。 The fans excitedly cheered for their team.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, entertainment, daily life

Tone: enthusiastic

Do Say

• 中国有数以百万计的篮球球迷。(China has millions of basketball fans.)
• 球迷们都在期待这场决赛。(The fans are all looking forward to the final.)

Don't Say

• 他是一个读书球迷。(Don't use 球迷 for non-sports interests — 球 specifically means ball sports. For a book lover, say 书迷.)

Origin & History

球 means ball; 迷 means to be obsessed with or fascinated by (辶 walk + 米 rice, suggesting wandering in confusion — lost in one's passion). Together: someone lost in their love of ball sports.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal