How to Write 团 (tuán) — Meaning “Group / Team / Round / Ball”

Imagine a round table (囗) with a person (才 looks like a person with arms) sitting at it, forming a team. This helps you remember that 团 means 'group' or 'team'.

Write the outer enclosure first: left vertical, then top and right in one stroke, then bottom horizontal. Then add the inner 才: horizontal, vertical hook, and left-falling stroke. Common mistake: making the inner part touch the top or bottom of the square – leave a small gap.

The similar character 囚 (qiú) has a person (人) inside the square, meaning 'prisoner'. 四 (sì) is the number four, with a different inner shape (like two strokes). In contrast, 团 has 才 inside, and its meanings relate to groups or rounds, not imprisonment or numbers.

团 is used in common words like 团结 (unity) and 团圆 (family reunion), which is very important during Chinese holidays like Mid-Autumn Festival. It also appears in 社团 (club) for school or work organizations. When you see 团, think of a group of people together.

Common words containing 团 include: 团结 (tuán jié) — Unite / Unity / Solidarity; 团圆 (tuán yuán) — Reunion / To reunite; 社团 (shè tuán) — Association / Club / Organization.