组 (zǔ) — (noun) group, team; (verb) to form, to organize; (classifier) for sets, series, groups of people, batteries
Definition
组 covers the verb 'to form/organize' and the classifier for sets and groups of people (batteries, teams). As a noun ('group/team'), it overlaps with 队 — 队 emphasizes a team in formation or lineup, while 组 is a more general group.
noun
groupteam
verb
to formto organize
classifier
for setsseriesgroups of peoplebatteries
Measure word · 个
Examples
- 组。Wǒ men zǔ shì yí gè xiǎo tuán duì.Our group is a small team.
- 组。Tā men zǔ le yí gè dú shū jù lè bù.They formed a book club.
- 组。Zhè zǔ diàn chí hái néng yòng.This set of batteries can still be used.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 組; 组 is its simplified writing.
Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìsilk
Sound part声符shēngfú
且
且qiě組zǔ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The traditional form 組 pairs 糸 (silk) with 且 as a sound part; the simplified 组 is a shorthand.
Appears in
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