民族

• 拼音: mín zú
• 汉字拆解: 民 = pictograph of an eye being pricked, originally meaning common people; 族 = 方 (direction) + 矢 (arrow), a clan gathered under a banner

含义

Ethnic group; nationality; nation. A group of people sharing common culture, language, and historical heritage.

Used in both formal and everyday contexts to refer to ethnic groups, especially the 56 officially recognised groups in China (少数民族 = ethnic minorities). Also used broadly to mean a nation or people (中华民族 = the Chinese nation). Common in news, education, politics, and cultural discussions. Carries a sense of shared identity and pride.

例句

1. 中国有五十六个民族。
2. 每个民族都有自己独特的文化传统。
3. 民族团结对国家发展非常重要。

用法指南

语境: culture, politics, education

语气: respectful

正确说法

• 这是一个多民族的国家。(This is a multi-ethnic country.)
• 我们应该尊重每个民族的文化。(We should respect the culture of every ethnic group.)

错误说法

• 他是什么民族的人种？(Don't pair 民族 with 人种 — 民族 refers to ethnic and cultural identity, not biological race. Just say 他是什么民族？)

起源与历史

民 means people or citizens; 族 originally depicted a flag with arrows, referring to a clan gathered under a banner. Together they mean a people united by shared identity.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal