共同体

• Pinyin: gòng tóng tǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 共 (together); 同 = 冂 + 口 (enclosed together, same); 体 = 亻+ 本 (person + root — the body of a person)

Meaning

Community; collective body; a shared community of interest or fate. A group of entities — people, nations, or organisations — bound together by common goals, values, or circumstances.

Gained significant political prominence through the phrase 人类命运共同体 (a community with a shared future for mankind), a key concept in Chinese foreign policy articulated by President Xi Jinping. Used broadly in international relations, sociology, and political philosophy. Also appears in economic and ecological contexts: 经济共同体, 生态共同体.

Examples

1. 构建人类命运共同体是中国应对全球性挑战的重要外交理念与战略构想。 Building a community with a shared future for humanity is an important Chinese diplomatic concept and strategic vision for addressing global challenges.
2. 欧盟作为区域经济共同体，在协调成员国政策方面发挥着不可替代的作用。 As a regional economic community, the European Union plays an irreplaceable role in coordinating policies among its member states.
3. 校园应当成为师生共同成长的学习共同体，而非单向知识传递的场所。 A campus should be a learning community where teachers and students grow together, not a place for one-way transmission of knowledge.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, international relations, sociology, education

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 面对气候危机，各国必须摒弃分歧，共同构建绿色发展的利益共同体。(Faced with the climate crisis, all nations must set aside their differences and jointly build a community of shared interests in green development.)
• 这个社区通过定期举办活动，逐渐形成了富有凝聚力的文化共同体。(Through regular events, this community has gradually formed a cohesive cultural community.)

Don't Say

• 将'共同体'用于松散的兴趣圈子 — 共同体 implies a structured, purposeful collective; for an informal interest group use 圈子 or 群体 instead

Origin & History

共同 (shared; common; joint) + 体 (body; entity; form). Literally: a body constituted by shared commonalities.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated speakers