同胞

• Pinyin: tóng bāo
• Hanzi breakdown: 同 = 冂 (enclosure) + 口 (mouth) + 一; 胞 = 月 (flesh) + 包 (wrap)

Meaning

Compatriot; fellow countryman; sibling from the same parents. Used to refer to people sharing the same nationality or ethnic background.

Most commonly used in formal or emotional contexts to address fellow Chinese people, especially those overseas. Can also mean biological siblings (同胞兄弟/姐妹), though this usage is less common in daily speech.

Examples

1. 海外同胞虽然身在异国，但心里始终牵挂着祖国。 Although overseas compatriots are in foreign countries, their hearts are always concerned about the motherland.
2. 这次地震发生后，全国同胞都在为灾区捐款捐物。 After this earthquake, compatriots across the country donated money and supplies for the disaster area.
3. 他们是同胞兄弟，长得几乎一模一样。 They are brothers from the same parents and look almost exactly alike.

Usage Guide

Context: patriotic, news, official speeches

Tone: emotional

Do Say

• 我们要关心海外同胞的安全。(We should care about the safety of our compatriots overseas.)
• 台湾同胞欢迎来大陆旅游。(Compatriots from Taiwan are welcome to travel to the mainland.)

Don't Say

• 我今天碰到一个同胞 — 日常口语说'老乡'或'中国人'更自然，同胞用于正式场合或强调情感

Origin & History

Compound of 同 (same) + 胞 (placenta, womb). Literally means 'from the same womb,' metaphorically extended to mean people of the same nation or origin.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal