Meaning and Usage
"組合" (くみあい) primarily refers to an association or union, often related to workers or specific industries like agriculture. It is commonly used to describe labor unions, agricultural cooperatives, or other organized groups formed to protect members' interests.
Common Contexts
You will often encounter "組合" in workplace discussions about labor rights, collective bargaining, or membership fees. It also appears in contexts involving cooperatives, such as agricultural or consumer associations.
Collocations and Patterns
- 組合費 (くみあいひ): union or association fees, often deducted from salary.
- 労働組合 (ろうどうくみあい): labor union, a common compound.
- 農業組合 (のうぎょうくみあい): agricultural cooperative.
Register and Nuance
"組合" is a neutral term used in formal and informal contexts. When referring to labor unions, it often carries a serious tone related to workers' rights and negotiations.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "組合" with "組み合わせ" (くみあわせ), which means "combination" or "matching." Remember that "組合" refers to an organized group or union, not the act of combining things.