团结

• Pinyin: tuán jié
• Hanzi breakdown: 团 = 囗 (enclosure) + 才 (phonetic); 结 = 纟 (silk/thread) + 吉 (auspicious, phonetic) — threads tied together

Meaning

To unite; solidarity; united. Describes the act of coming together as a group or the state of being united.

Emphasises collective harmony and cooperation. Very common in political and social discourse, and frequently used in schools and workplaces to promote group cohesion. Functions as both a verb (to unite) and an adjective (united).

Examples

1. 同学们要团结友爱，互相帮助。 Classmates should be united and friendly, helping each other.
2. 团结就是力量，大家一起努力吧。 Unity is strength — let's all work hard together.
3. 这个班级非常团结，从来不吵架。 This class is very united and never argues.

Usage Guide

Context: school, work, politics

Tone: encouraging

Do Say

• 我们要团结起来。(We need to unite.)
• 这支队伍很团结。(This team is very united.)

Don't Say

• 我和他团结了。(Don't use 团结 for individual reconciliation — it refers to group solidarity. For making up with someone, use 和好 instead.)

Origin & History

团 means 'group' or 'round' and 结 means 'to tie' or 'to knot'. Together they express the idea of binding together as one unit.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal