人以群分

Pronunciation: rén yǐ qún fēn Literal meaning: People divide by groups

Origin & Usage

The idiom 人以群分 (rén yǐ qún fēn) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to express the idea that people naturally form groups based on their character and interests. This concept is rooted in the ancient text 《周易·系辞上》, which discusses the natural tendency of things and people to group according to their kind. The phrase is often paired with 物以类聚 (wù yǐ lèi jù), forming the expression 物以类聚，人以群分, which translates to 'birds of a feather flock together.' The characters 人 (rén) mean 'people,' 以 (yǐ) means 'by,' 群 (qún) means 'group,' and 分 (fēn) means 'divide.' In modern usage, this idiom suggests that individuals tend to associate with others who share similar values and behaviors, reflecting a natural social order.

Examples

English: "In any community, individuals often form groups based on shared interests and beliefs."

Chinese: 在任何社区中，个人往往根据共同的兴趣和信仰形成群体。