团体

• Pinyin: tuán tǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 团 = 囗 (enclosure) + 才 (phonetic); 体 = 亻 (person) + 本 (root/origin) — the physical form of a person

Meaning

Group; organisation; collective body. Refers to an organised group of people with a shared purpose.

Used for formal or semi-formal organisations such as clubs, associations, or delegations. Distinguished from 团队 (team, which emphasises teamwork) and 组织 (organisation, more formal and institutional).

Examples

1. 这个团体每年都举办慈善活动。 This organisation holds charity events every year.
2. 我参加了一个音乐团体。 I joined a music group.
3. 团体活动可以增进同事之间的感情。 Group activities can strengthen relationships between colleagues.

Usage Guide

Context: organizations, business, events

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我们团体有五十个成员。(Our group has fifty members.)
• 这次旅行是团体活动。(This trip is a group activity.)

Don't Say

• 我和朋友是一个团体。(Don't use 团体 for a casual friend group — it implies formal organisation. Use 一群朋友 instead.)

Origin & History

团 means 'group' and 体 means 'body' or 'form'. Together they refer to an organised collective body.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal