Translation guide
The English word 'team' refers to a group of people working together. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is チーム (chiimu), a loanword from English. However, depending on context, other words like 班 (han), グループ (guruupu), or 連中 (renchuu) may be more natural. This guide helps learners choose the right expression.
Referring to any team in a broad sense, such as a sports team, project team, or work group.
The most common and versatile word for 'team'. Used in sports, business, and casual contexts. A loanword from English, it feels modern and neutral.
私たちのチームは優勝しました。
Our team won the championship.
新しいプロジェクトチームが発足した。
A new project team has been launched.
Often used for smaller, organized groups within a larger structure, like a squad, section, or group in school or work. Common in contexts like cleaning duty or research groups.
掃除当番の班を決めましょう。
Let's decide the cleaning duty team.
研究班に配属されました。
I was assigned to the research team.
A general word for 'group', often used when 'team' implies a looser collection of people. Can be used for work teams, but less specific than チーム.
グループで話し合ってください。
Please discuss in your teams/groups.
Specifically referring to a sports team, such as baseball, soccer, etc.
The standard word for a sports team. Can be combined with the sport name, e.g., サッカーチーム (soccer team).
彼は地元のサッカーチームでプレーしている。
He plays for the local soccer team.
Refers specifically to a professional baseball team organization. Not used for other sports.
A team within a company or organization working on a specific task.
Widely used in business settings. Often combined with the project name or function, e.g., 営業チーム (sales team).
営業チームは目標を達成した。
The sales team achieved the target.
Used for smaller, often temporary, work groups within a department, like a task force or committee.
改善班を立ち上げる。
We will form an improvement team.
Literally 'unit' or 'corps', sometimes used metaphorically for a dedicated team, especially in sales or project contexts. Has a strong, cohesive nuance.
A casual 'team' meaning a group of people who hang out together or are part of the same circle.
A casual, sometimes slightly rough word for a group of people. Often used among friends or to refer to a group in a familiar way. Can be translated as 'guys', 'crew', or 'team'.
あの連中と飲みに行く。
I'm going out for drinks with that team/crew.
Means 'companions' or 'mates'. Emphasizes camaraderie and belonging. Often used in contexts like 'team members' or 'buddies'.
Referring to the concept of working together as a team, rather than the group itself.
The direct loanword for 'teamwork'. Commonly used in business and sports.
このプロジェクトにはチームワークが不可欠だ。
Teamwork is essential for this project.
Means 'unity' or 'solidarity'. Often used to emphasize the strength of a team working together.
チーム is the default for 'team' in modern Japanese, especially in sports and business. 班 is often used for smaller, structured groups within schools or companies (e.g., cleaning teams, research teams). グループ is a broader term for any group and can be used when the structure is looser.
In English, 'team' can be used very broadly (e.g., 'the team at the store'). In Japanese, using チーム for every group can sound unnatural. Consider if スタッフ (staff), メンバー (members), or simply the group's name is more appropriate.
店のスタッフが親切だった。
The store team/staff were kind.
彼は巨人軍という球団に所属している。
He belongs to the baseball team called the Giants.
An elite team will handle this project.
彼は信頼できるチームの仲間だ。
He is a trusted member of the team.
団結力が勝利をもたらした。
Team unity brought victory.