Translation guide
The English word 'group' can refer to a collection of people, things, or organizations. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is グループ (gurūpu), but other words like 集団 (shūdan), 班 (han), and 組 (kumi) are used depending on context, formality, and the nature of the group.
To refer to any informal or general collection of people or items, similar to the English 'group' in everyday conversation.
The most direct and common translation for 'group' in casual and general contexts. It is a loanword from English and widely understood.
このグループに入りたいです。
I want to join this group.
友達のグループと旅行に行った。
I went on a trip with a group of friends.
A more formal term for a group of people, often used for organized or collective bodies. It can sound stiff in casual conversation.
その集団は規律が厳しい。
That group has strict discipline.
Refers to a party, troop, or body of people, often moving or acting together. Somewhat literary or formal.
観光客の一団がバスから降りてきた。
A group of tourists got off the bus.
To refer to a small, designated group within a larger organization, such as a class, project team, or work unit.
Commonly used for small groups or squads in schools, workplaces, or organized activities. It implies a structured subdivision.
クラスを三つの班に分けます。
We will divide the class into three groups.
班長を決めてください。
Please choose a group leader.
Often used for classes or groups in school (e.g., class 1-A), or for pairs/sets. It can also mean a gang or party.
Used for sports teams or project teams, similar to English 'team'. More specific than general 'group'.
To refer to a business conglomerate or a collection of affiliated companies.
Also used for corporate groups, e.g., 'Toyota group'. The loanword is standard in business contexts.
彼は大手企業グループの社長だ。
He is the president of a major corporate group.
Can be used for corporate groups in formal writing, but グループ is more common.
To refer to a group in technical contexts such as mathematics, chemistry, or biology.
Used in mathematics for 'group' (algebraic structure) and in science for clusters or populations.
この群は可換群です。
This group is an abelian group.
Sometimes used in computing or informal science contexts, but 群 is the standard mathematical term.
To refer to a musical group or band.
The standard term for a music band. グループ is also possible but less specific.
彼はロックバンドのメンバーだ。
He is a member of a rock group.
Can be used for idol groups or pop groups, often in the entertainment industry.
グループ is the safest, most versatile choice for everyday 'group'. 集団 is more formal and often implies a larger, organized collective. 班 is specifically for small, assigned subgroups like in school projects or work shifts.
グループで話し合ってください。
Please discuss in groups.
集団行動が求められる。
Group behavior is required.
掃除当番の班を決める。
Decide the cleaning duty group.
When 'group' is used as a modifier in English (e.g., 'group discount', 'group chat'), Japanese often uses 団体 (dantai) or グループ, but sometimes a different structure is more natural. For example, 'group discount' is 団体割引 (dantai waribiki), not グループ割引.
団体割引はありますか？
Is there a group discount?
学生のグループが図書館で勉強しています。
A group of students is studying in the library.
勉強のグループを作りました。
We formed a study group.
He is a student in the same group/class.
Our team won the championship.
企業集団の再編が進んでいる。
The restructuring of corporate groups is progressing.
データをグループに分ける。
Divide the data into groups.
そのアイドルグループは人気がある。
That idol group is popular.