Definitions

qún (noun) group; crowd; flock; herd
qún (verb) gather in a group

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "群", with its traditional form "羣" placing the component "羊" above "君", derives from the conceptual fusion of "ruler" or "master" (君) and "sheep" (羊) to depict an orderly collective, originally signifying a herd of animals overseen by a leader. Its meaning progressively expanded from this specific pastoral reference to encompass any gathering of people or things, reflecting a transition from literal to abstract notions of social and numerical aggregates. The structure itself, with "君" implying governance, reinforces the idea of hierarchy and cohesion within a multitude. This semantic broadening allowed the character to denote crowds, communities, and even function as a measure word for clusters, while maintaining its fundamental association with plurality and organized unity.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这里有一人。

Zhè lǐ yǒu yī qún rén.

There is a group of people here.

鸟在飞。

Yī qún niǎo zài fēi.

A group of birds is flying.

我们在聊里说话。

Wǒ men zài qún liáo lǐ shuō huà.

We are talking in the group chat.

这个体很团结。

Zhè gè qún tǐ hěn tuán jié.

This group is very united.

众的支持很重要。

Qún zhòng de zhī chí hěn zhòng yào.

The support of the masses is very important.

岛的风景很美。

Qún dǎo de fēng jǐng hěn měi.

The scenery of the archipelago is very beautiful.

星闪耀在夜空中。

Qún xīng shǎn yào zài yè kōng zhōng.

Stars are shining in the night sky.

他管理着一个大型组。

Tā guǎn lǐ zhe yī gè dà xíng qún zǔ.

He manages a large group.