收集

shōují: 收集 - To Collect, To Gather, To Compile

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: shouji, 收集, collect Chinese, gather Chinese, compile in Chinese, how to say collect in Chinese, collect data, collect stamps, HSK 4 vocabulary, Chinese for hobby, gather information.
  • Summary: Learn how to use “收集” (shōují), the essential Chinese verb for “to collect” or “to gather.” This page covers everything from using it for hobbies like collecting stamps to professional tasks like gathering data for a report. Understand its character breakdown, cultural nuances, and see 10 practical examples to master its use in modern conversation.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): shōují
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: 4
  • Concise Definition: To bring together disparate items or information into one group; to collect or gather.
  • In a Nutshell: “收集” (shōují) is a straightforward, functional word for the act of accumulation. Think of it as bringing things from different places into one central pile, whether that “pile” is a physical collection of stamps, a digital folder of documents, or a database of user information. It's the process of gathering.

Character Breakdown

  • 收 (shōu): This character means “to receive,” “to accept,” or “to put away.” The right side (攵) is a variation of a hand holding a stick, suggesting an action. The left side provides phonetic context. Think of it as the action of taking something in.
  • 集 (jí): This character is a beautiful pictograph. It shows birds (隹) on a tree (木). Birds naturally flock or gather in trees, so this character means “to gather” or “to assemble.”
  • When combined, 收集 (shōují) literally means “to receive and gather.” This powerful combination creates a clear image of actively taking in various items and bringing them together into a collection.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • “收集” is more of a functional term than a deeply cultural one, but its usage reflects societal trends. In the late 20th century, hobbies like stamp collecting (收集邮票 - shōují yóupiào) and coin collecting were widespread and seen as wholesome, educational pastimes.
  • In the modern digital era, the term has exploded in relevance, particularly in the context of technology and business. 收集数据 (shōují shùjù - to collect data) is a cornerstone of the modern Chinese economy, from e-commerce giants to social media apps.
  • Comparison to English “Collect”: In English, “to collect” can imply a deep passion or connoisseurship (e.g., an “art collector”). While “收集” can describe hobbies, it's often more neutral and task-oriented, similar to “to gather” or “to compile.” For passionate collecting of valuable items, the word 收藏 (shōucáng), meaning “to collect and treasure,” is often more appropriate. You “收集” (gather) information for a report, but you “收藏” (treasure) a rare painting.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • “收集” is a versatile, neutral verb used in many contexts, from casual conversation to formal business reports.
  • Hobbies and Interests: Used to talk about collecting as a pastime.
    • e.g., 收集邮票 (shōují yóupiào) - to collect stamps
    • e.g., 收集旧硬币 (shōují jiù yìngbì) - to collect old coins
  • Work and Academia: Extremely common for tasks involving information or materials.
    • e.g., 收集客户反馈 (shōují kèhù fǎnkuì) - to collect customer feedback
    • e.g., 收集资料 (shōují zīliào) - to gather materials/information (for a project)
    • e.g., 收集数据 (shōují shùjù) - to collect data
  • General Tasks: Used for any action that involves gathering things together.
    • e.g., 请把大家的签名收集一下。(Qǐng bǎ dàjiā de qiānmíng shōují yīxià.) - Please collect everyone's signatures.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我爷爷喜欢收集旧邮票。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ yéye xǐhuān shōují jiù yóupiào.
    • English: My grandpa likes to collect old stamps.
    • Analysis: A classic example of using “收集” for a hobby. It's neutral and describes the activity itself.
  • Example 2:
    • 为了写报告，我需要收集很多资料。
    • Pinyin: Wèile xiě bàogào, wǒ xūyào shōují hěn duō zīliào.
    • English: In order to write the report, I need to gather a lot of information/materials.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates a common professional or academic use. The focus is on the task of compiling resources.
  • Example 3:
    • 这个手机应用会收集用户的个人信息。
    • Pinyin: Zhège shǒujī yìngyòng huì shōují yònghù de gèrén xìnxī.
    • English: This mobile app collects users' personal information.
    • Analysis: A very modern usage related to technology and data privacy. Here, the connotation can be neutral or slightly negative depending on the context.
  • Example 4:
    • 警察正在收集关于这起案件的证据。
    • Pinyin: Jǐngchá zhèngzài shōují guānyú zhè qǐ ànjiàn de zhèngjù.
    • English: The police are currently collecting evidence regarding this case.
    • Analysis: In this formal context, “收集” means to gather things methodically. The related term 搜集 (sōují - to search and collect) could also be used here to add a sense of active investigation.
  • Example 5:
    • 老师让我们收集秋天的叶子做手工。
    • Pinyin: Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen shōují qiūtiān de yèzi zuò shǒugōng.
    • English: The teacher had us collect autumn leaves to make crafts.
    • Analysis: A simple, everyday example showing its use for gathering physical objects for a specific purpose.
  • Example 6:
    • 你有什么爱好？我喜欢收集各种各样的杯子。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ yǒu shéme àihào? Wǒ xǐhuān shōují gèzhǒng gèyàng de bēizi.
    • English: What are your hobbies? I like to collect all sorts of mugs/cups.
    • Analysis: Shows how to use it in a typical conversation about personal interests.
  • Example 7:
    • 我们需要收集所有员工的意见，然后再做决定。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào shōují suǒyǒu yuángōng de yìjiàn, ránhòu zài zuò juédìng.
    • English: We need to collect all the employees' opinions before making a decision.
    • Analysis: Used for intangible things like opinions or feedback.
  • Example 8:
    • 他花了一生的时间收集中国古代艺术品。
    • Pinyin: Tā huāle yīshēng de shíjiān shōují Zhōngguó gǔdài yìshùpǐn.
    • English: He spent his whole life collecting ancient Chinese art.
    • Analysis: While 收藏 (shōucáng) would also work and imply more value, “收集” is perfectly acceptable and focuses on the long process of accumulation.
  • Example 9:
    • 请把桌子上的文件都收集起来，放到这个文件夹里。
    • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ zhuōzi shàng de wénjiàn dōu shōují qǐlái, fàng dào zhège wénjiànjiā lǐ.
    • English: Please gather all the documents on the table and put them in this folder.
    • Analysis: The directional complement “起来” (qǐlái) is often added to “收集” to emphasize the action of gathering things “up” into a completed collection.
  • Example 10:
    • 这个慈善机构正在为灾区收集物资。
    • Pinyin: Zhège císhàn jīgòu zhèngzài wèi zāiqū shōují wùzī.
    • English: This charity is collecting supplies for the disaster area.
    • Analysis: Demonstrates its use in the context of social activities like donations or aid efforts.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `收集` (shōují) vs. `收藏` (shōucáng): This is the most crucial distinction for learners.
    • `收集` (shōují): The neutral act of gathering. It's the process. You 收集 data, feedback, leaves, or stamps for a new album.
    • `收藏` (shōucáng): To collect something valuable to be treasured, stored, and kept. It's about the value and preservation. You 收藏 fine art, rare wines, or a first-edition book.
    • Incorrect: 我收藏客户的反馈。(Wǒ shōucáng kèhù de fǎnkuì.) - This sounds strange, as if you are treasuring customer feedback like a precious jewel.
    • Correct: 我收集客户的反馈。(Wǒ shōují kèhù de fǎnkuì.)
  • `收集` (shōují) vs. `搜集` (sōují): These are very close in meaning and sometimes interchangeable.
    • `收集` (shōují): General “gathering.”
    • `搜集` (sōují): “To search and gather.” It implies a more active, investigative effort. You `搜集证据` (search for evidence) or `搜集情报` (gather intelligence). For everyday things like stamps or feedback, `收集` is more natural.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 收藏 (shōucáng) - To collect something of value; to treasure and store. Used for art, antiques, and precious items.
  • 搜集 (sōují) - A close synonym meaning “to search for and collect,” often used for information, intelligence, or evidence.
  • 采集 (cǎijí) - To gather or collect, but specifically used for samples or specimens taken from a source (e.g., collecting plant samples, blood samples, or field data).
  • 集合 (jíhé) - As a verb, it means “to assemble” or “to gather,” almost exclusively for people. As a noun, it means “a set” in mathematics.
  • 积累 (jīlěi) - To accumulate, often over a long period. It focuses on the gradual build-up of things like experience (经验), knowledge (知识), or wealth (财富).
  • 汇总 (huìzǒng) - To aggregate or summarize. This is what you do *after* you `收集` data—you put it all together into a summary.
  • 资料 (zīliào) - Materials, data, information. A common object for the verb `收集`.
  • 数据 (shùjù) - Data (especially numerical or digital). Another common object for `收集`.