jítǐ zhǔyì: 集体主义 - Collectivism

• Keywords: jítǐ zhǔyì, 集体主义, collectivism, Chinese collectivism, group harmony, individual vs group, Chinese culture, teamwork in China, socialism, Confucian values.
• Summary: Discover the meaning of jítǐ zhǔyì (集体主义), the Chinese concept of collectivism. This page explores how this core value, which prioritizes the group's needs over the individual's, shapes Chinese society, from workplace culture and family life to national policy. Learn the difference between Chinese collectivism and Western teamwork, and understand why this concept is essential for anyone seeking a deeper connection with modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jítǐ zhǔyì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: The ideology that the goals, well-being, and success of the group are more important than those of any single individual.
• In a Nutshell: “Jítǐ zhǔyì” is the cultural belief of “we over me.” It's the idea that individuals find their identity and purpose as part of a group—be it a family, a company, or the nation. Success is shared, and so are hardships. This contrasts sharply with the emphasis on individual achievement and self-reliance common in many Western cultures.

• 集 (jí): To gather, to assemble. The character shows birds (隹) gathering on a tree (木).
• 体 (tǐ): Body, system, form. It combines a person radical (人) with the character for root or foundation (本), suggesting a person's body is their foundation.
• 主 (zhǔ): Main, primary, lord, master. It originally depicted a lamp with a flame, the main source of light.
• 义 (yì): Justice, righteousness, meaning.
• Together, 集体 (jítǐ) means “collective body” or “group.” The suffix 主义 (zhǔyì) is the standard way to form “-ism” in Chinese. Therefore, 集体主义 (jítǐ zhǔyì) literally translates to “collective-ism.”

Jítǐ zhǔyì (集体主义) is one of the foundational pillars of Chinese society, with roots in both ancient philosophy and modern politics. 1. Confucian Roots: Traditional Confucianism emphasizes social harmony (和谐, héxié) and defined social roles. Individuals were expected to understand their place within the family and society, fulfilling their duties to contribute to the stability and prosperity of the group. 2. Socialist Influence: In the 20th century, socialist ideology heavily reinforced the concept, promoting self-sacrifice for the good of the collective and the nation. This is often seen in national slogans and educational materials. Contrast with Western “Individualism”: Where American culture often champions the “self-made” individual who stands out from the crowd, Chinese culture traditionally values the person who integrates seamlessly and contributes to the group's success. This is not just “teamwork.” Teamwork in the West is often a strategy for individuals to achieve a common goal. Jítǐ zhǔyì is a deeper, more fundamental worldview where the group's identity can supersede the individual's. A good analogy is the difference between “networking” (a tool for personal advancement) and `关系` (guānxi) (a web of mutual, long-term obligation). This value system fosters a strong sense of unity and mutual support but can also lead to immense pressure to conform and a reluctance to challenge group consensus.

While China's market economy has introduced more individualistic thinking, jítǐ zhǔyì remains highly influential.

• In the Workplace: Praising a team's collective effort is far more common than singling out one “star employee.” Success is framed as a victory for the department or company. The phrase “发扬集体主义精神” (fāyáng jítǐ zhǔyì jīngshén), “to promote the collectivist spirit,” is often used in corporate meetings.
• In Education: Teachers encourage students to work for the honor of the class. Cleaning the classroom together or participating in group competitions are practical applications of this value from a young age.
• In Social Life: Decisions, from career choices to marriage, are often made with heavy consideration for the family's opinion and well-being. The needs of the family unit can often outweigh individual desires.
• Connotation: The term can be positive, connoting unity, solidarity, and selfless dedication (奉献, fèngxiàn). However, especially among younger generations, it can carry a negative connotation of suppressing individuality and forcing conformity.

• Example 1:
  • 我们公司强调的是集体主义，而不是个人英雄主义。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī qiángdiào de shì jítǐ zhǔyì, ér bùshì gèrén yīngxióng zhǔyì.
  • English: Our company emphasizes collectivism, not individual heroism.
  • Analysis: A common phrase in a business context, setting the cultural expectation for new employees.
• Example 2:
  • 在中国，集体主义的观念深深地影响着家庭生活。
  • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó, jítǐ zhǔyì de guānniàn shēnshēn de yǐngxiǎngzhe jiātíng shēnghuó.
  • English: In China, the concept of collectivism deeply influences family life.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides a broad cultural observation, suitable for an essay or discussion about cultural values.
• Example 3:
  • 老师教育我们要有集体主义精神，互相帮助。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī jiàoyù wǒmen yào yǒu jítǐ zhǔyì jīngshén, hùxiāng bāngzhù.
  • English: The teacher taught us that we must have a spirit of collectivism and help each other.
  • Analysis: Shows how the concept is instilled from a young age in the education system. `精神 (jīngshén)` means “spirit” or “ethos.”
• Example 4:
  • 只有发扬集体主义，我们的球队才能赢得比赛。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyǒu fāyáng jítǐ zhǔyì, wǒmen de qiúduì cái néng yíngdé bǐsài.
  • English: Only by promoting collectivism can our team win the game.
  • Analysis: A perfect example from the world of sports, where the concept is very similar to “team spirit” but with a stronger ideological flavor.
• Example 5:
  • 这种过度的集体主义让人感觉很压抑。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng guòdù de jítǐ zhǔyì ràng rén gǎnjué hěn yāyì.
  • English: This kind of excessive collectivism makes people feel very repressed.
  • Analysis: This example demonstrates the negative connotation of the term, highlighting the feeling of suppressed individuality.
• Example 6:
  • 为了大局，他牺牲了个人利益，这正是集体主义的体现。
  • Pinyin: Wèile dàjú, tā xīshēngle gèrén lìyì, zhè zhèng shì jítǐ zhǔyì de tǐxiàn.
  • English: For the sake of the bigger picture, he sacrificed his personal interests; this is a true embodiment of collectivism.
  • Analysis: This sentence links `jítǐ zhǔyì` to two other key concepts: `大局 (dàjú)` - the bigger picture, and `牺牲 (xīshēng)` - to sacrifice.
• Example 7:
  • 他们的成功归功于紧密的团队合作和强烈的集体主义。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de chénggōng guīgōng yú jǐnmì de tuánduì hézuò hé qiángliè de jítǐ zhǔyì.
  • English: Their success is attributed to close teamwork and a strong sense of collectivism.
  • Analysis: A positive and formal way to describe the reasons for a group's success.
• Example 8:
  • 集体主义是社会主义核心价值观之一。
  • Pinyin: Jítǐ zhǔyì shì shèhuì zhǔyì héxīn jiàzhíguān zhī yī.
  • English: Collectivism is one of the core socialist values.
  • Analysis: This sentence places the term in its official, political context in modern China.
• Example 9:
  • 有些年轻人开始质疑传统的集体主义，更加追求个人自由。
  • Pinyin: Yǒuxiē niánqīng rén kāishǐ zhìyí chuántǒng de jítǐ zhǔyì, gèngjiā zhuīqiú gèrén zìyóu.
  • English: Some young people have begun to question traditional collectivism and are more focused on pursuing personal freedom.
  • Analysis: This highlights the ongoing cultural shift and generational tension surrounding this value.
• Example 10:
  • 这次救援行动展现了我们民族的集体主义和团结精神。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì jiùyuán xíngdòng zhǎnxiànle wǒmen mínzú de jítǐ zhǔyì hé tuánjié jīngshén.
  • English: This rescue operation demonstrated our nation's collectivism and spirit of unity.
  • Analysis: Used here on a national scale, often after a natural disaster or crisis, to praise a unified response.

• Mistake 1: Confusing it with simple “teamwork.”
  • While teamwork is a part of it, jítǐ zhǔyì is a deeper, all-encompassing ideology about the fundamental structure of society. Teamwork is a behavior; collectivism is a worldview. Saying “Our team has good collectivism” sounds strange in English, but the equivalent makes sense in Chinese because it's praising the team's underlying values.
• Mistake 2: Assuming it's always a “bad” or “communist” word.
  • For English speakers, “collectivism” often has negative Cold War-era connotations. In China, jítǐ zhǔyì is frequently used in a positive light to mean unity, solidarity, and selflessness. It is a source of national and corporate pride. Ignoring this positive side is a common pitfall.
• Mistake 3: Believing it's an outdated concept.
  • While individualism is on the rise, jítǐ zhǔyì still forms the bedrock of social expectations in China. Business negotiations, family relationships, and office politics are all deeply influenced by it. Understanding this concept is crucial for navigating modern Chinese society effectively.

• 个人主义 (gèrén zhǔyì): Individualism. The direct antonym of jítǐ zhǔyì.
• 和谐 (héxié): Harmony. The primary social goal that collectivism is meant to achieve.
• 团结 (tuánjié): Unity, solidarity. A practical action and feeling that results from a collectivist mindset.
• 大局 (dàjú): The bigger picture; the overall situation. Individuals are often asked to consider the `dàjú` and put group needs first.
• 奉献 (fèngxiàn): To dedicate; to devote (often selflessly). This is the ideal behavior within a collectivist framework.
• 集体荣誉感 (jítǐ róngyù gǎn): Sense of collective honor. The feeling of pride one gets from the group's achievements.
• 爱国主义 (àiguó zhǔyì): Patriotism. On a national level, patriotism is a form of jítǐ zhǔyì.
• 面子 (miànzi): Face; social prestige. Often, an individual's actions can cause the entire group (family, company) to “lose face,” linking personal behavior to the collective's reputation.