乐队

• Pinyin: yuè duì
• Hanzi breakdown: 乐 = simplified from 樂, a pictograph of bells on a wooden frame, meaning 'music'; 队 = 阝(阜) (mound) + 人 (person), simplified from 隊, meaning 'team'

Meaning

Band; orchestra; musical group. A group of musicians who perform together.

Can refer to any musical ensemble, from rock bands to orchestras. In casual usage, often refers to popular music bands. Note that 乐 is pronounced yuè when related to music, as opposed to lè meaning happy.

Examples

1. 这支乐队的音乐非常好听。 This band's music is really great.
2. 他在学校的乐队里弹吉他。 He plays guitar in the school band.
3. 周末有一场乐队的现场演出。 There is a live band performance this weekend.

Usage Guide

Context: music, entertainment, school

Tone: enthusiastic

Do Say

• 你喜欢哪个乐队？(Which band do you like?)
• 我们组建了一支乐队。(We formed a band.)

Don't Say

• 我参加了一个唱歌乐队。(Don't add extra qualifiers — a 乐队 already implies a musical group; just say 我参加了一个乐队)

Origin & History

乐 (music, yuè) + 队 (team, group). A team that plays music — a band or orchestra.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal