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.
Our team won the championship.
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.
Let's decide the cleaning duty team.
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.
Please discuss in your teams/groups.
Specifically referring to a sports team, such as baseball, soccer, etc.
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).
The sales team achieved the target.
Used for smaller, often temporary, work groups within a department, like a task force or committee.
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'.
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.
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.
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.
We will form an improvement team.
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.