群

• Pinyin: qún
• Hanzi breakdown: 群 = 君 (ruler, phonetic) + 羊 (sheep), evoking a flock of sheep — a gathered group

Meaning

A group of; a flock of; a crowd of. A measure word for groups of people or animals.

As a measure word, used for groups of people (一群人 = a group of people), animals (一群鸟 = a flock of birds), or abstract collections. Also used as a noun meaning group or community (群体 = group, 群众 = the masses). In modern usage, 群 also means a group chat (微信群 = WeChat group). Very common across all registers.

Examples

1. 操场上有一群孩子在踢足球。 There's a group of kids playing football on the playground.
2. 天上飞过一群大雁。 A flock of wild geese flew across the sky.
3. 他在同学群里发了一条消息。 He posted a message in the classmates' group chat.

Usage Guide

Context: descriptions, measure word, social media

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 一群年轻人围在一起聊天。(A group of young people gathered together to chat.)
• 你把我拉进那个群吧。(Add me to that group chat.)

Don't Say

• 一群书在桌子上。(Don't use 群 for inanimate objects — it's for living beings or social groups. Say 一堆书 for a pile of books.)

Origin & History

群 contains 君 (ruler, phonetic) + 羊 (sheep). The image of a ruler overseeing a flock of sheep captures the idea of a gathered group under common direction.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal