noun HSK 5
zhī
branch (of an organization) · local branch · chapter

Meaning

支部 refers to a local branch or chapter of a larger organization, most commonly used for Communist Party branches in China. It represents the basic organizational unit at the grassroots level, whether in a workplace, school, village, or community.

Usage

This term is particularly common in political and organizational contexts in mainland China. When used without qualification, it typically refers to a Party branch (党支部). In formal settings, it appears frequently in official documents and organizational communications. Less commonly, it can refer to branches of other organizations like labor unions or youth leagues.

Examples

  1. 01
    我们学校有三个党支部
    Wǒmen xuéxiào yǒu sān dǎng zhī .
    Our school has three Party branches.
  2. 02
    他担任支部书记已经五年了。
    dānrèn zhī shū yǐjīng nián le.
    He has served as branch secretary for five years.

Characters

Measure words

  • 一个支部

Common collocations

  • 支部
    dǎng zhī
    Party branch
  • 支部书记
    zhī shū
    branch secretary
  • 支部委员会
    zhī wěi yuán huì
    branch committee
  • 基层支部
    céng zhī
    grassroots branch

Antonyms

Origin

The term combines 支 (branch) and 部 (division/section), literally meaning a branch division. It entered widespread use in China during the early 20th century as political organizations adopted Soviet-style hierarchical structures with local branches as the foundational organizational unit.

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