====== gòngqīngtuán: 共青团 - Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** Gòngqīngtuán, 共青团, Communist Youth League of China, CYLC, Chinese youth organization, CCP youth wing, Chinese politics, joining the Communist Party, Young Pioneers, Tuányuán, 入团
  * **Summary:** The **共青团 (Gòngqīngtuán)**, or the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC), is the official youth wing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). As a vast national organization for young people aged 14 to 28, it serves as a critical training ground for future Party members and plays a significant role in the political, social, and academic lives of Chinese youth. Understanding the 共青团 is essential for grasping the structure of political life and career advancement in modern China.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** Gòngqīngtuán
  * **Part of Speech:** Proper Noun
  * **HSK Level:** N/A (Advanced/Proper Noun)
  * **Concise Definition:** The Communist Youth League of China, the youth division of the Chinese Communist Party.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine a nationwide organization for teenagers and young adults that's part political incubator, part social club, and part resume-builder, all run by the ruling political party. That's the 共青团. For many ambitious Chinese students, joining is a standard step in their educational and career journey. It organizes activities ranging from volunteer work to political study sessions, and membership is often seen as a mark of a good, reliable student, opening doors for university applications and future jobs in government or state-owned companies.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **共 (gòng):** This character means "common," "together," or "shared." In this context, it's short for **共产 (gòngchǎn)**, meaning "Communist."
  * **青 (qīng):** This character means "youth" or "young people." It's found in words like **青年 (qīngnián)**, meaning youth.
  * **团 (tuán):** This character means "group," "league," or "organization." It's used in words like **团队 (tuánduì)**, meaning "team."
When combined, **共青团 (Gòngqīngtuán)** literally translates to "Communist Youth League," a direct and accurate description of its function.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
The 共青团 is far more than a simple after-school club. It is a fundamental pillar of the Chinese Communist Party's system for cultivating loyalty and identifying talent among the nation's youth.
  * **A Stepping Stone to Power:** For young people with political or civil service ambitions, joining the 共青团 is the first crucial step. It's the primary feeder organization for the CCP. Being a League member, and especially a League leader (团干部, tuán gànbù), significantly improves one's chances of being invited to join the Party itself, which is essential for a career in government or leadership roles in state-owned enterprises.
  * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** The closest Western comparison might be a combination of the Boy/Girl Scouts and the youth wing of a political party (like the Young Democrats/Republicans). However, this comparison falls short. Unlike its Western counterparts, the 共青团 is not a niche, voluntary group; it is a state-sponsored institution with millions of members, and membership is deeply integrated into the school system. While technically voluntary, immense social and academic pressure makes it a de facto standard procedure for high-achieving students. Its influence on a young person's future is far more direct and significant than any youth organization in the West.
  * **Related Values:** The 共青团 actively promotes values central to the CCP's ideology, including:
    * **爱国主义 (àiguózhǔyì) - Patriotism:** A deep love for and loyalty to China, as defined by the Party.
    * **集体主义 (jítǐzhǔyì) - Collectivism:** The belief that the group's (and nation's) interests are more important than individual ones.
    * **社会责任 (shèhuì zérèn) - Social Responsibility:** Encouraging youth to contribute to society through volunteerism and state-approved projects.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
The term 共青团 is used frequently in formal and informal contexts related to education, politics, and youth life.
  * **In Schools and Universities:** This is the most common context. Teachers will talk about the process of **入团 (rùtuán)** - "entering the League." Announcements are made for **团活动 (tuán huódòng)** - "League activities." Being a **团员 (tuányuán)** - "League member" is noted on student records.
  * **On Social Media:** The 共青团 has a formidable and sophisticated presence on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo and Bilibili. They create viral content, engage with youth trends, and mobilize online nationalist sentiment, making them a major voice in modern Chinese internet culture.
  * **In Conversation:** Young people might discuss their status or experiences. For example, one might ask another, "你入团了吗？" (Nǐ rùtuán le ma?) - "Have you joined the League yet?" The connotation can range from a neutral fact of life to a source of pride for the politically ambitious, or a subject of cynicism for those who see it as performative.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 她因为学习成绩优异，被推荐加入了**共青团**。
    * Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi xuéxí chéngjì yōuyì, bèi tuījiàn jiārù le **Gòngqīngtuán**.
    * English: Because her academic performance was excellent, she was recommended to join the Communist Youth League.
    * Analysis: This shows the common pathway to membership: being a good student. It's often a reward for academic achievement and good behavior.
  * **Example 2:**
    * **共青团**是中国共产党的助手和后备军。
    * Pinyin: **Gòngqīngtuán** shì Zhōngguó Gòngchǎndǎng de zhùshǒu hé hòubèijūn.
    * English: The Communist Youth League is the assistant and reserve force of the Communist Party of China.
    * Analysis: This is the official, boilerplate definition of the League's role. You will hear or read this exact phrase in many formal contexts.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 每个星期五下午，我们学校的**共-青团**成员都要开会。
    * Pinyin: Měi ge xīngqīwǔ xiàwǔ, wǒmen xuéxiào de **Gòngqīngtuán** chéngyuán dōu yào kāihuì.
    * English: Every Friday afternoon, the CYLC members at our school have to attend a meeting.
    * Analysis: This illustrates the practical, routine nature of League activities within the school system.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 成为一名**共青团**干部对他未来的职业发展很有帮助。
    * Pinyin: Chéngwéi yī míng **Gòngqīngtuán** gànbù duì tā wèilái de zhíyè fāzhǎn hěn yǒu bāngzhù.
    * English: Becoming a CYLC cadre will be very helpful for his future career development.
    * Analysis: This highlights the role of the League as a launchpad for a career, especially in politics or government.
  * **Example 5:**
    * **共青团**中央的官方微博在年轻人中很有影响力。
    * Pinyin: **Gòngqīngtuán** Zhōngyāng de guānfāng Wēibó zài niánqīngrén zhōng hěn yǒu yǐngxiǎnglì.
    * English: The CYLC Central Committee's official Weibo account is very influential among young people.
    * Analysis: This points to the League's modern strategy of using social media to engage with and guide youth opinion.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 弟弟今年14岁了，正在准备写入团申请书。
    * Pinyin: Dìdi jīnnián shísì suì le, zhèngzài zhǔnbèi xiě rùtuán shēnqǐngshū.
    * English: My little brother turned 14 this year and is preparing to write his application to join the League.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses a related term, **入团 (rùtuán)**, showing the application process that begins at the minimum age. The main term is implied.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 很多大学的奖学金会优先考虑**共青团**员。
    * Pinyin: Hěn duō dàxué de jiǎngxuéjīn huì yōuxiān kǎolǜ **Gòngqīngtuán**yuán.
    * English: Many university scholarships give preferential consideration to CYLC members.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates a tangible benefit of being a member. The term is shortened to just **团员 (tuányuán)**.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 在这次志愿者活动中，**共青团**发挥了重要的组织作用。
    * Pinyin: Zài zhè cì zhìyuànzhě huódòng zhōng, **Gòngqīngtuán** fāhuī le zhòngyào de zǔzhī zuòyòng.
    * English: The Communist Youth League played an important organizational role in this volunteer event.
    * Analysis: This shows one of the League's primary functions: mobilizing youth for social and civil projects.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 按照规定，超过28周岁的**共青团**员，如果没有担任团内职务，就算自动退团。
    * Pinyin: Ànzhào guīdìng, chāoguò èrshíbā zhōusuì de **Gòngqīngtuán**yuán, rúguǒ méiyǒu dānrèn tuánnèi zhíwù, jiù suàn zìdòng tuìtuán.
    * English: According to regulations, CYLC members over 28 years old are considered to have automatically withdrawn from the League if they do not hold a position within it.
    * Analysis: This explains the age limit, reinforcing that it is strictly a "youth" league.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 他是党员，他妻子是**共青团**员。
    * Pinyin: Tā shì dǎngyuán, tā qīzi shì **Gòngqīngtuán**yuán.
    * English: He is a Party member, and his wife is a Youth League member.
    * Analysis: This sentence juxtaposes the CYLC with the Party itself, clearly showing the hierarchical relationship.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **It's not just a "club":** The most common mistake for a Western learner is to underestimate the political significance of the 共青团. Calling it a "club" or "scouts" misses the core function of political socialization and its direct link to the ruling party and state power.
  * **"Communist" is key:** While many daily activities might seem apolitical (like cleaning a park or organizing a sports game), the overarching goal is to instill loyalty to the Communist Party. Ignoring the "共 (gòng)" part of the name is to miss the point entirely.
  * **Membership is not universal but is widespread:** While not every young person joins, membership rates in top high schools and universities are extremely high. It is a mainstream experience, not a niche one.
  * **Incorrect Usage Example:** A foreign student in China saying, "我怎么加入共青团？" (Wǒ zěnme jiārù Gòngqīngtuán? - "How can I join the CYLC?") would be incorrect and politically naive. Membership is reserved for Chinese citizens. It would reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of the organization's nature as a national political body.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[中国共产党]] (Zhōngguó Gòngchǎndǎng):** The Communist Party of China (CPC/CCP). The parent organization that the 共青团 serves.
  * **[[少先队]] (Shàoxiānduì):** The Young Pioneers of China. The organization for children aged 6-14, recognizable by their red scarves. It is the precursor to the 共青团.
  * **[[党员]] (dǎngyuán):** A Party member. The next step up from being a 团员.
  * **[[团员]] (tuányuán):** A League member. A member of the 共青团.
  * **[[入团]] (rùtuán):** (verb) "To enter the League"; the act of joining the 共青团.
  * **[[入党]] (rùdǎng):** (verb) "To enter the Party"; the act of joining the Communist Party.
  * **[[团委]] (tuánwěi):** The League Committee. The administrative and leadership body of the League at a given level (e.g., a school's 团委).
  * **[[组织]] (zǔzhī):** Organization. In a political context, this often carries the heavy connotation of "The Organization," meaning the Party and its affiliated bodies.
  * **[[爱国主义]] (àiguózhǔyì):** Patriotism. A core tenet of the education provided by the 共青团.