团员

• Pinyin: tuán yuán
• Hanzi breakdown: 团 = 囗 (enclosure) + 才 (simplified); 员 = 口 (mouth) + 贝 (shell/value)

Meaning

League member; member of an organization. Specifically refers to a member of the Communist Youth League of China, or generally a member of any organized group.

Most commonly refers to members of the Communist Youth League (共青团), a political organization for youth ages 14-28 in China. Can also mean members of performance troupes, delegations, or other organized groups depending on context.

Examples

1. 她十四岁就加入了共青团，成为一名光荣的团员。 She joined the Communist Youth League at fourteen and became a proud League member.
2. 演出团的团员们正在后台做最后的准备。 The troupe members are making final preparations backstage.
3. 作为团员，他积极参与学校组织的各项志愿活动。 As a League member, he actively participates in various volunteer activities organized by the school.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, organizations, education

Tone: official

Do Say

• 新团员要在团旗下宣誓。(New League members must take an oath under the League flag.)
• 代表团的团员们明天出发。(The delegation members depart tomorrow.)

Don't Say

• 把普通俱乐部成员称为'团员' (For casual club members, use 会员 or 成员 — 团员 implies formal organizational membership)

Origin & History

Compound of 团 (league, group, organization) + 员 (member, personnel). 团 here specifically often refers to 共青团 (Communist Youth League).

Cultural Context

Generation: Youth

Social background: Universal