Definitions

duì (noun) team; group; squad

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character "队" derives from its traditional form "隊", structurally composed of the left radical "阝" originating from "阜" which denotes an earthen mound or cliff, and the right component "㒸" that historically provided phonetic guidance. This configuration initially carried the meaning of falling or dropping from a height, directly associated with the radical's connotation of elevation. The semantic focus later shifted from the act of falling to describe a group of people arranged in ranks, particularly in military contexts, eventually broadening to signify any organized group or team. In its simplified iteration, "队" maintains the "阝" radical but substitutes the right element with "人", meaning person, thereby aligning the character's form with its contemporary meaning centered on human collectives such as squads or queues.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们的很好。

Wǒmen de duì hěn hǎo.

Our team is very good.

我支持这个

Wǒ zhīchí zhège duì.

I support this team.

里来了新员。

Duì lǐ láile xīn duìyuán.

New members came to the team.

长带领我们训练。

Duìzhǎng dàilǐng wǒmen xùnliàn.

The captain leads us in training.

如果里团结,就能赢。

Rúguǒ duì lǐ tuánjié, jiù néng yíng.

If the team is united, we can win.

虽然我们输了,但是大家没有放弃。

Suīrán wǒmen duì shūle, dànshì dàjiā méiyǒu fàngqì.

Although our team lost, everyone did not give up.

为了准备比赛,长组织了一支强大的伍。

Wèile zhǔnbèi bǐsài, duìzhǎng zǔzhīle yī zhī qiángdà de duìwu.

To prepare for the match, the captain organized a strong team.

尽管对手实力雄厚,我们的伍依然凭借默契的配合取得了胜利。

Jǐnguǎn duìshǒu shílì xiónghòu, wǒmen de duìwu yīrán píngjiè mòqì de pèihé qǔdéle shènglì.

Despite the opponent's strong strength, our team still achieved victory through tacit cooperation.