In China, especially within the education system, 社团 (shètuán) are more than just a hobby—they are a cornerstone of student life. From the moment students enter high school, and particularly university, they are encouraged to 参加社团 (cānjiā shètuán - join a club). This contrasts with the Western concept of “extracurricular activities,” which can sometimes be seen as purely for personal enrichment or resume-building. While those elements exist in China, the cultural emphasis is heavily placed on the collective experience. Joining a 社团 is a primary way to:
For many Chinese students, their 社团 becomes a second family at school, a vital source of social support and identity outside of their academic major. The annual 社团招新 (shètuán zhāoxīn - club recruitment drive) is a major event on university campuses, with dozens of clubs showcasing their talents to attract new members.
The use of 社团 is widespread but most prominent in specific contexts.
This is the most common context. Students will constantly talk about their 社团.
It can also refer to non-student, hobby-based groups for adults.
The term is generally neutral and can be used in both casual conversation and more formal announcements (like a school bulletin). It is not typically used for highly professional or official government organizations, where terms like 协会 (xiéhuì - association) or 组织 (zǔzhī - organization) are more common.