When combined, 乐 (music) + 队 (team) literally creates “music team,” a perfect and logical description for a band or orchestra.
The concept of a 乐队 in China has undergone a dramatic evolution. While China has a rich history of traditional musical ensembles, the modern term 乐队 is closely tied to the adoption of Western musical formats. In the 20th century, 乐队 primarily referred to Western-style symphony orchestras (交响乐队, jiāoxiǎng yuèduì) and military bands. However, with the “Reform and Opening Up” period starting in the late 1970s, Western rock and pop music flooded into China, inspiring a new generation. The 1980s and 90s saw the birth of “C-Rock” (Chinese Rock), with pioneering bands like Cui Jian (崔健) becoming cultural icons. This marked a significant shift, where 乐队 began to represent youth culture, rebellion, and artistic expression, much like the rock and roll movement in the West. Today, the 乐队 scene is more vibrant than ever. Reality shows like “The Big Band” (乐队的夏天) have brought indie and rock bands into the mainstream, creating national stars out of groups like 新裤子 (New Pants) and 痛仰 (Miserable Faith). This is different from the Western experience where “indie” often remains niche; in China, a popular TV show can turn an underground band into a household name overnight. The idea of a 乐队 is now central to modern Chinese youth culture, representing creativity, collaboration, and the sound of a new generation.
乐队 is a common, neutral term used in everyday conversation. You can easily specify the type of musical group by adding a descriptor before it.
The term is used widely, from casual chats about music preferences to formal concert programs.