bùduì: 部队 - Military Unit, Troops, Army

• Keywords: 部队, bùduì, Chinese military, troops in Chinese, Chinese army, PLA, People's Liberation Army, what does budui mean, military unit in Chinese, Chinese armed forces, serving in the military in China.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 部队 (bùduì), which means “military unit,” “troops,” or “army.” This page provides a deep dive into its meaning, from character origins to its significant role in Chinese culture. Understand how to use 部队 (bùduì) in everyday conversation, see practical example sentences, and learn the crucial differences between similar terms like `军队 (jūnduì)` and `解放军 (jiěfàngjūn)` to speak more like a native.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bùduì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: An organized military force, unit, or body of troops.
• In a Nutshell: 部队 (bùduì) is the most common and general-purpose word in Chinese for an organized group of soldiers. It can refer to a small detachment, a large division, or even be used as a general term for “the army” or “the military” in the context of someone serving. Think of it as the go-to word for “troops” or “military unit.”

• 部 (bù): This character means “part,” “section,” or “department.” You can see it in words like `部门 (bùmén)`, meaning department, or `全部 (quánbù)`, meaning “all parts” or “the whole.” It signifies an organized section of a larger entity.
• 队 (duì): This character means “team,” “squad,” or a line of people. It's used in words like `排队 (páiduì)`, to line up, and `队长 (duìzhǎng)`, team captain. It implies a group of people working together.
• When combined, 部队 (bùduì) literally translates to “a sectioned-off team.” This perfectly captures the idea of an organized, distinct military unit within a larger armed forces structure.

In China, the military, and by extension the term 部队 (bùduì), holds a place of significant respect and national pride. The People's Liberation Army (解放军 - Jiěfàngjūn) is often portrayed as a symbol of national strength, discipline, and self-sacrifice. They are not just seen as a fighting force but also as first responders in national emergencies, such as earthquakes and floods, which has earned them immense public goodwill. A common phrase is `当兵 (dāng bīng)`, “to be a soldier.” When someone says a family member `去当兵了 (qù dāng bīng le)` or is `在部队 (zài bùduì)`, it's often said with a sense of honor. This contrasts with Western culture where military service is also respected, but the general term “the troops” or “a unit” might feel slightly more detached or technical. In China, saying someone is `在部队` (in the troops/unit) is a very common, almost familial way to say they are serving in the military. It's a broad, all-encompassing statement that immediately conveys the nature of their work and the associated social value.

部队 (bùduì) is a neutral and versatile term used across all levels of formality.

• In Conversation: It's the standard way to mention that someone is a soldier or is serving in the armed forces. For example, “My brother is in the army” would naturally be translated as `我哥哥在部队 (Wǒ gēge zài bùduì)`.
• In the News: Media reports use 部队 to refer to specific units being deployed, participating in exercises, or carrying out missions. For example, `一支医疗部队被派往灾区 (Yī zhī yīliáo bùduì bèi pài wǎng zāiqū)`, “A medical unit was sent to the disaster area.”
• Metaphorical Use: While less common, it can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe a large, organized group of people, like a “construction army” (`施工部队 - shīgōng bùduì`). However, its primary meaning is always military.

• Example 1:
  • 他高中毕业后就去部队了。
  • Pinyin: Tā gāozhōng bìyè hòu jiù qù bùduì le.
  • English: He joined the army right after graduating from high school.
  • Analysis: A very common and natural way to say someone “joined the military.” `去部队 (qù bùduì)` is the standard phrase.
• Example 2:
  • 这支部队的任务是保卫边疆。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhī bùduì de rènwù shì bǎowèi biānjiāng.
  • English: The mission of this unit is to defend the border.
  • Analysis: Here, 部队 is used with the measure word `支 (zhī)` to refer to a specific unit or detachment.
• Example 3:
  • 救援部队正在全力搜救幸存者。
  • Pinyin: Jiùyuán bùduì zhèngzài quánlì sōujiù xìngcúnzhě.
  • English: The rescue troops are doing their utmost to search for survivors.
  • Analysis: This shows 部队 being used for non-combat roles, highlighting the military's function in disaster relief.
• Example 4:
  • 司令员向他的部队发表了讲话。
  • Pinyin: Sīlìngyuán xiàng tā de bùduì fābiǎo le jiǎnghuà.
  • English: The commander gave a speech to his troops.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a formal, military context.
• Example 5:
  • 听说你在部队里表现很出色。
  • Pinyin: Tīngshuō nǐ zài bùduì lǐ biǎoxiàn hěn chūsè.
  • English: I heard that you performed outstandingly in the military.
  • Analysis: `在部队里 (zài bùduì lǐ)` means “in the military” or “during your service.”
• Example 6:
  • 敌人的部队已经进入了我们的射程。
  • Pinyin: Dírén de bùduì yǐjīng jìnrù le wǒmen de shèchéng.
  • English: The enemy's troops have already entered our firing range.
  • Analysis: A classic example from a military or war context.
• Example 7:
  • 他在部队锻炼了两年，整个人都变了。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài bùduì duànliàn le liǎng nián, zhěnggè rén dōu biàn le.
  • English: He trained in the army for two years and became a completely different person.
  • Analysis: This reflects the cultural idea that military service builds character and discipline.
• Example 8:
  • 这是一支精英的特种部队。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì yī zhī jīngyīng de tèzhǒng bùduì.
  • English: This is an elite special forces unit.
  • Analysis: Shows how 部队 can be modified with adjectives to describe the type of unit.
• Example 9:
  • 由于大雪，部队的行进速度减慢了。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú dàxuě, bùduì de xíngjìn sùdù jiǎnmàn le.
  • English: Due to the heavy snow, the troops' marching speed slowed down.
  • Analysis: A neutral, descriptive sentence you might hear in a documentary or news report.
• Example 10:
  • 各部队请注意，立即到指定地点集合！
  • Pinyin: Gè bùduì qǐng zhùyì, lìjí dào zhǐdìng dìdiǎn jíhé!
  • English: Attention all units, assemble at the designated location immediately!
  • Analysis: An example of a direct command given to multiple units (`各部队 - gè bùduì`).

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 部队 (bùduì), 军队 (jūnduì), and 解放军 (jiěfàngjūn).

• 部队 (bùduì): Refers to troops or a unit(s). It's concrete. You can count them (e.g., `一支部队 - a unit`). It's the word you use when talking about soldiers on the ground or the experience of serving.
  • Correct: `我哥哥在部队服役。` (Wǒ gēge zài bùduì fúyì.) - My brother is serving in the army/a unit.
  • Incorrect: `中国的部队很大。` (This is awkward. It's like saying “China's troops is very big.”)
• 军队 (jūnduì): Refers to the military or armed forces as an entire institution. It's more abstract and refers to the whole organization of a country's defense.
  • Correct: `中国的军队叫解放军。` (Zhōngguó de jūnduì jiào Jiěfàngjūn.) - China's military is called the PLA.
  • Incorrect: `我哥哥在军队。` (While grammatically okay, `在部队` is far more common and natural for personal situations.)
• 解放军 (Jiěfàngjūn): This is a proper noun: The People's Liberation Army (PLA). It's the specific name for China's military. You use it when referring to the PLA by name, not as a general term for any army.
  • Correct: `他是一名光荣的解放军战士。` (Tā shì yī míng guāngróng de Jiěfàngjūn zhànshì.) - He is a glorious PLA soldier.
  • Incorrect: `美国的解放军很强大。` (This is wrong; it's like saying “America's People's Liberation Army is strong.”) You should use `美军 (Měijūn)` for the US military.

In short: 军队 is the institution, 部队 are the people/units in it, and 解放军 is the name of China's specific institution.

• 军队 (jūnduì) - The military as a whole institution; the armed forces. Broader and more abstract than `部队`.
• 解放军 (jiěfàngjūn) - The People's Liberation Army (PLA), the proper name for China's military. `部队` can be a part of the `解放军`.
• 军人 (jūnrén) - A military person; serviceman/woman. A general term for anyone in the military.
• 士兵 (shìbīng) - A soldier, especially a private or non-commissioned officer. The individual person who makes up a `部队`.
• 陆军 (lùjūn) - Army/Ground Force. A specific branch of the `军队`.
• 海军 (hǎijūn) - Navy. Another branch.
• 空军 (kōngjūn) - Air Force. Another branch.
• 司令 (sīlìng) - Commander. The officer who leads a large `部队`.
• 战争 (zhànzhēng) - War. A primary activity that a `部队` is trained for.
• 当兵 (dāng bīng) - To be a soldier; to serve in the military. This is the action of joining a `部队`.