How to say "group" in Japanese

• 系けいJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)Its 'group' sense is really lineage: a line of descent or a system to which things belong. It is seldom the word you want for a group of people.
  Windows系けいＯＳではアドミニストレーターアカウントがルートに相当そうとうする。↗

  With Windows OS systems 'administrator account' corresponds to 'root'.
• グループJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe loanword for a group of people, such as a circle of friends or a pop group. When you simply mean 'a group of people', this is the natural choice.
  先生せんせいは私わたしたちを二ふたつのグループに分わけた。↗

  Our teacher separated us into two groups.
• 派はJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)A group in the sense of a faction or clique: people who split from others within a larger body over stance, style, or allegiance. Think of rival factions inside a political party.
  私はネコ派はです。↗

  I am a cat person.
• 団体だんたいJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounAn organized body of people: an association, club, or organization. Use it when 'group' means an established organization rather than a loose gathering of individuals.
  学校がっこうから団体だんたいで行いく人ひとたちもいるが、ほとんどの人ひとたちはばらばらに行いく。↗

  Some go in groups organized by their schools, but most go in twos and threes.
• 集団しゅうだんJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA collection of individuals regarded as one mass: a crowd or collective. Use it when you picture many people lumped together as a single body rather than an organized association.
  君きみはいまやエリート集団しゅうだんの一員いちいんだ。↗

  You are now among the elite.

Use 「グループ」 for an everyday group of people, 団体 for an organized association, 集団 for a crowd or collective, 派 for a faction within a larger body, and 系 for lineage or system rather than a group of people.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 系けいsystem
• グループgroup (usu. of people)
• 派はgroup
• 団体だんたいgroup
• 集団しゅうだんgroup
• 群ぐんgroup
• 勢ぜいgroup (of people, competitors, companies, etc.)
• 群れむれgroup
• 班はんgroup
• 財団ざいだんfoundation (institution)
• 部類ぶるいclass
• 群集ぐんしゅうcrowd
• 一行いっこうparty
• 一群いちぐんgroup
• 群衆ぐんしゅうgroup (of people)
• 一団いちだんbody
• 部門ぶもんdivision (of a larger group)
• 連中れんちゅうcompany
• 団だんgroup
• 基きgroup
• ブロックbloc
• 隊たいparty
• 輩はいgroup
• 一群れひとむれgroup
• 原子団げんしだんgroup (of atoms)
• 伍ごcompany
• 集団的しゅうだんてきcollective
• 一つ穴のむじなひとつあなのむじなgang
• 群がりむらがりcrowding together
• 層群そうぐん(geol) group
• 集団全体しゅうだんぜんたい(whole) group
• 事業本部じぎょうほんぶcorporate headquarters
• 仲間なかまgroup
• 組くみgroup (of people)
• 列れつgroup (of peers)
• 族ぞくgroup (of people who share a common feature)
• 陣じんgroup
• 塊かたまりgroup
• 軍ぐんteam
• 単位たんいunit (i.e. one comprised of many)
• 団子だんごlump
• 系統けいとうgroup (e.g. of colors) (colours)
• 群像ぐんぞうgroup
• バンチbunch
• 一つ穴ひとつあなgang
• 一構えひとかまえclump (e.g. of trees)
• 層そうclass
• ユニット(small) group (esp. in music or entertainment)
• 連れんparty
• Ｇジーgroup