noun
Refers to a small, exclusive group of people united by shared interests or purposes, often with a slightly negative connotation of self-interest or exclusivity. Used in political, social, or organizational contexts.
党内に小さな朋党がいくつか存在する。
Several small factions exist within the party.
彼は自分の朋党だけで固まっている。
He sticks only with his own clique.
派閥 is a more common and neutral term for a faction or clique, especially in political or organizational contexts. 朋党 is less frequent and can carry a slightly more literary or negative nuance.
徒党 often implies a group formed for improper or rebellious purposes, with a stronger negative connotation than 朋党.
The term is composed of 朋 (とも, 'companion') and 党 (とう, 'party' or 'faction'), literally meaning a group of companions. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it has been used in classical Chinese and Japanese texts to refer to exclusive groups or factions.