伙

• Pinyin: huǒ
• Hanzi breakdown: 伙 = 亻(person) + 火 (fire) — people gathered around a fire, forming a group

Meaning

Group; band; gang. A measure word for counting groups of people, often used colloquially.

As a measure word, 一伙人 means 'a group of people,' often with a slightly informal or even negative tone, such as 一伙小偷 (a gang of thieves). Also appears in the compounds 伙伴 (partner/companion), 伙食 (meals/food provided), and 大伙儿 (everyone, colloquial). The measure word usage is more common in spoken language.

Examples

1. 门口站着一伙年轻人。 A group of young people is standing at the entrance.
2. 大伙儿一起去吃午饭吧。 Let's all go have lunch together.
3. 警察抓住了那伙犯罪分子。 The police caught that gang of criminals.

Usage Guide

Context: colloquial, groups, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 那伙人是谁？(Who are those people?)
• 大伙儿都同意这个方案。(Everyone agrees with this plan.)

Don't Say

• 一伙老师在开会 (Don't use 一伙 for respected professionals — it can sound dismissive; use 一群 or 几位 for neutral or respectful groupings)

Origin & History

Originally related to 火 (huǒ, fire), as soldiers who shared a campfire formed a group. The person radical 亻was added to indicate a group of people.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal