集结

• Pinyin: jí jié
• Hanzi breakdown: 集 = 隹 + 木 (bird + tree — birds gathering on a tree); 结 = 纟+ 吉 (thread + lucky — to tie/form)

Meaning

To assemble; to gather; to mass. Refers to the concentration of troops, people, or resources at a specific location.

Most commonly used in military contexts but also applied to crowds, resources, or forces of any kind. Conveys purposeful, organised gathering.

Examples

1. 部队在边境附近集结，等待上级命令。 The troops assembled near the border, awaiting orders from higher command.
2. 救援人员在受灾地区集结，准备展开搜救行动。 Rescue workers gathered in the disaster-hit area, preparing to launch search-and-rescue operations.
3. 大批志愿者在广场集结，参加城市清洁活动。 A large number of volunteers assembled in the square to take part in the city cleanup.

Usage Guide

Context: military, emergency, organisations

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 联合演习期间，各参演部队按照预定方案迅速向指定区域集结，并在规定时限内完成了战斗部署。(During the joint exercise, all participating units quickly assembled at the designated areas according to the predetermined plan and completed their combat deployment within the specified time limit.)
• 国际人道主义救援组织的协调人员正在努力确保医疗队、工程队和后勤保障力量有序集结，以避免资源调配上的重复与浪费。(Coordinators from international humanitarian relief organisations are working to ensure the orderly assembly of medical teams, engineering units, and logistical support forces, so as to avoid duplication and waste in resource allocation.)

Don't Say

• 集结在一起 — 集结 already implies gathering together; drop 在一起 as it is redundant

Origin & History

集 (gather/assemble) + 结 (consolidate/form)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal