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族 (zú) — (suffix) ethnic group, race, or race; also used for clans and lineages; (suffix) a social group defined by a shared trait or activity

Definition

族 is a suffix meaning 'group' — pairs with a topic word to name a type of people (汉族, 上班∼). 比 民族 more general: 民族 emphasizes ethnic/national identity, while 族 is broader and covers lifestyle or activity groups too.

suffix
ethnic groupraceor racealso used for clans and lineagesa social group defined by a shared trait or activity
Easily confused

Examples

  • 族。
    Hàn zú de rén kǒu zuì duō.
    The Han ethnic group has the largest population.
  • 族。
    Huí zú yǒu hěn duō dú tè de chuán tǒng.
    The Hui ethnic group has many unique traditions.
  • 。
    Hěn duō shàng bān zú měi tiān dōu hěn lèi.
    Many office workers are tired every day.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

族 combines 㫃, a flag, and 矢, an arrow.

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5Ethnic Groups & Nationalities5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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