加盟

• Pinyin: jiā méng
• Hanzi breakdown: 加 = 力 (strength) + 口, to add; 盟 = 明 (bright) + 皿 (vessel), alliance/oath

Meaning

To join; to become a member of; to franchise.

Used when joining an organization, team, or business alliance. Very common in business contexts for franchising (加盟店 = franchise store) and in sports for signing with a team. Implies becoming part of a larger entity.

Examples

1. 这位著名球星宣布加盟皇家马德里，转会费高达一亿欧元。 This famous star announced joining Real Madrid, with a transfer fee of up to 100 million euros.
2. 想开一家奶茶店的话，加盟连锁品牌是比较稳妥的选择。 If you want to open a milk tea shop, franchising with a chain brand is a relatively safe choice.
3. 欧盟成立以来，已经有二十多个国家先后加盟。 Since the EU was established, more than twenty countries have successively joined.

Usage Guide

Context: business, sports, organizations

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 你有兴趣加盟我们的团队吗？(Are you interested in joining our team?)
• 这是一家加盟店，不是直营的。(This is a franchise, not a company-owned store.)

Don't Say

• 用加盟描述加入普通社团 (Too formal/commercial — use 加入 for joining casual groups)

Origin & History

Compound of 加 (to add/join) + 盟 (alliance/league). Together meaning 'to join an alliance.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal