gòngqīngtuán: 共青团 - Communist Youth League of China (CYLC)

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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 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 Gòngqīngtuányuán.
  • 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 Gòngqīngtuányuán, 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 Gòngqīngtuányuán.
  • 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.

• 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.

• 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.