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个体
gè tǐ
What does "个体" mean in English?
individual这个公司由多个个体经营者组成。
This company consists of multiple individual operators.
How to use "个体" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
formal
A single human being considered as distinct from a group or society.
在现代社会，个体的权利受到法律保护。
In modern society, the rights of individuals are protected by law.
个体户需要缴纳个人所得税。
Individual household businesses need to pay personal income tax.
In Chinese, '个体' often refers to self-employed individuals or small business owners, especially in legal or economic contexts.
biology
A single organism, especially when regarded as distinct from a group or colony.
生物学家研究单个细胞的行为，即个体细胞的活动。
Biologists study the behavior of single cells, i.e., individual cellular activity.
Less common in English; 'individual' or 'single organism' is typically used.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguishing '个体' from '个人'
'个体' often implies a legal or economic status (e.g., '个体户'), while '个人' is more general and can refer to any person. For example, '个人信息' (personal information) uses '个人', not '个体'.
Gold Rule
When to use '个体'
Use '个体' when referring to self-employed individuals, small business owners, or entities operating independently in a formal or economic context. Avoid using it for abstract concepts like 'individuality' (use '个性' instead).
Word Origin
The term '个体' (gètǐ) is composed of '个' (gè), a measure word meaning 'unit' or 'piece', and '体' (tǐ), meaning 'body' or 'entity'. Together, they convey the idea of a distinct unit or individual entity.
Usage Notes
'个体' is commonly used in legal, economic, and sociological contexts to refer to an individual person or entity operating independently. In contrast, '集体' (group) refers to a collective. Avoid using '个体' to describe inanimate objects; '单独' (single) or '独立' (independent) is preferred.
Word Breakdown
个
measure word for discrete items or units
root体
body, entity, or form
root汉英词典