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B1 verb #1,500 most common 4 min read

收集

shouji Top 1,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 收集 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 收集 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 收集 as 'picking up' or 'getting' things to put them in one place. Imagine you have many toys on the floor and you put them in a box—that is a simple form of 收集. You might use it for very basic things like 'collecting books' or 'collecting pens.' The focus is on the physical action of bringing things together. Even at this early stage, knowing that 收集 is for 'things' and not 'people' is very helpful. You might say '我收集书' (I collect books). It is a useful word for talking about simple hobbies or cleaning up.

At the A2 level, 收集 is used to describe hobbies and basic tasks. You can use it to talk about things you like to find and keep, such as stamps (邮票), coins (硬币), or stickers (贴纸). You might also use it in a school context, like 'collecting homework' (收集作业). At this level, you start to see it used with simple information, like 'collecting names' (收集名字) for a party list. The sentences become a bit longer, such as '我喜欢收集世界各地的明信片' (I like to collect postcards from all over the world). You are moving from just 'picking up' to 'purposefully gathering.'

At the B1 level, 收集 becomes a key word for academic and professional preparation. You will use it to talk about gathering 'materials' (资料) or 'information' (信息) for a project. It's no longer just about physical objects; it's about the process of preparation. For example, '在写报告之前，我需要收集很多资料' (Before writing the report, I need to gather a lot of materials). You will also encounter it in news contexts, such as 'collecting evidence' (收集证据). This level requires understanding that 收集 is a systematic process. You might also use resultative complements like '收集到' to show you finished the task.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 收集 in more complex and abstract scenarios. It is frequently used in business and scientific discussions. For instance, '收集市场数据' (collecting market data) or '收集用户反馈' (collecting user feedback). You will notice it in more formal structures and paired with advanced adverbs like '广泛' (extensively) or '系统地' (systematically). You should also be able to distinguish 收集 from more specific words like 搜集 (which implies a search) or 采集 (often used for biological samples or data acquisition). It is a word about methodology and thoroughness at this stage.

At the C1 level, 收集 is used in highly formal, academic, and literary contexts. You might discuss the '收集' of folk songs (收集民歌) to preserve culture, or the '收集' of intelligence (收集情报) in a political context. The word takes on a nuance of archival importance. You will see it in complex sentences involving passive structures or as part of compound formal phrases. For example, '通过对大量样本的收集与分析，研究人员得出了结论' (Through the collection and analysis of a large number of samples, researchers reached a conclusion). At this level, the focus is on the strategic importance of the collection process.

At the C2 level, 收集 is understood within the broadest possible philosophical and technical frameworks. It might refer to the 'collection' of human wisdom over centuries or the massive, automated 'collection' of metadata in global networks. You will understand its nuances in legal statutes regarding 'data collection' (数据收集) and privacy. You can use it metaphorically or in highly specialized fields like linguistics (收集语料 - collecting corpus data) or archaeology. The word is no longer just a verb but a fundamental concept in the organization of human knowledge and the functioning of modern society.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

收集 in 30 Seconds

收集 (shōují) is a B1-level verb meaning 'to collect' or 'to gather' from various sources.
It is used for both physical items (stamps, waste) and abstract data (information, evidence).
Grammatically, it is a transitive verb often followed by a direct object like 资料 or 信息.
Commonly confused with 收藏 (to keep a collection) and 搜集 (to search and gather).

The term 收集 (shōují) is a versatile Chinese verb primarily meaning 'to collect' or 'to gather.' At its core, it describes the action of bringing together items or information that were previously dispersed. Unlike words that imply simply 'picking up,' 收集 suggests a level of purpose and organization. Whether you are a child picking up shells on a beach or a scientist gathering data for a climate study, you are performing the act of 收集.

Etymological Breakdown: The first character, 收 (shōu), means to receive, accept, or restrain. The second character, 集 (jí), depicts birds gathering on a tree, symbolizing assembly or coming together. Combined, they form a powerful verb for aggregation.
Semantic Range: It covers both physical objects (stamps, coins, waste) and abstract concepts (information, opinions, evidence). It is the standard term used in professional, academic, and casual settings for the act of gathering.

他在世界各地收集罕见的邮票。 (He collects rare stamps from all over the world.)

Example of hobbyist collection.

In the digital age, 收集 is frequently paired with words like 数据 (shùjù - data) and 信息 (xìnxī - information). It describes the initial phase of any research project or investigative process. Without the act of 收集, there is no material to analyze or archive.

Using 收集 correctly requires understanding its typical objects. It is a transitive verb, meaning it almost always takes a direct object. The structure is usually: Subject + 收集 + Object.

Common Physical Objects: 邮票 (stamps), 古董 (antiques), 标本 (specimens), 废品 (waste materials), 雨水 (rainwater).
Common Abstract Objects: 资料 (materials/data), 证据 (evidence), 意见 (opinions), 信息 (information), 情报 (intelligence).

警察正在收集犯罪现场的证据。 (The police are gathering evidence at the crime scene.)

Grammatically, 收集 can be modified by adverbs of manner or frequency. For example, 广泛收集 (guǎngfàn shōují - to collect extensively) or 秘密收集 (mìmì shōují - to collect secretly). It can also be used in the progressive aspect with 正在 (zhèngzài) to indicate an ongoing collection process.

You will encounter 收集 in a wide variety of social and professional domains. Its frequency in modern Mandarin is high because of the emphasis on information technology and scientific research.

Academic Research: Professors often tell students to 收集资料 (gather materials) before writing a thesis.
Business: Companies 收集客户反馈 (collect customer feedback) to improve services.
Environmentalism: Communities might 收集雨水 (collect rainwater) or 收集可回收物 (collect recyclables).
Legal/Police: News reports frequently mention 收集证据 (collecting evidence) in ongoing investigations.
Daily Life: Friends might discuss 收集好玩的表情包 (collecting fun stickers/emojis) on WeChat.

大数据技术可以自动收集用户信息。 (Big data technology can automatically collect user information.)

In formal speeches, you might hear the phrase 广开言路，收集民意 (opening channels for speech and collecting public opinion), which highlights the word's use in governance and civic engagement.

While 收集 is straightforward, learners often confuse it with similar verbs. Distinguishing these nuances is key to reaching B2 and C1 levels.

收集 vs. 收藏 (shōucáng): 收集 is the act of gathering. 收藏 is the act of keeping and preserving something valuable as a collection. You 收集 stamps to build a 收藏.
收集 vs. 采集 (cǎijí): 采集 is more technical or biological. You 采集 blood samples (采血) or 采集 wild herbs. 收集 is more general.
收集 vs. 搜集 (sōují): 搜集 implies 'searching' (搜) while gathering. It is used when the items are hard to find or hidden. 收集 is used when the items are readily available or the focus is on the aggregation.

To enrich your vocabulary, consider these synonyms and related terms that share the 'gathering' semantic field.

汇总 (huìzǒng): To summarize and aggregate. Often used for reports or financial data where multiple sources are combined into one final document.
聚集 (jùjí): To assemble or congregate. Usually used for people or crowds gathering in a physical location.
积累 (jīlěi): To accumulate over time. Used for experience, wealth, or knowledge that grows gradually.

通过收集各种意见，我们最终汇总成了一份报告。 (By gathering various opinions, we finally summarized them into a report.)

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements

Ba-structure

Progressive Aspect

Examples by Level

我收集红色的笔。

I collect red pens.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

他在收集书。

He is collecting books.

Use of '在' for ongoing action.

我们要收集这些纸。

We need to collect these papers.

Use of '要' for necessity.

你收集什么？

What do you collect?

Question form with '什么'.

我不收集邮票。

I don't collect stamps.

Negative form with '不'.

老师在收集作业。

The teacher is collecting homework.

Common classroom context.

他在公园收集叶子。

He is collecting leaves in the park.

Location '在公园' before the verb.

请收集好你的东西。

Please collect your things.

Use of '好' as a resultative complement meaning 'properly'.

我喜欢收集各国的硬币。

I like to collect coins from different countries.

Using '喜欢' to express a hobby.

他在收集关于旅游的信息。

He is gathering information about travel.

Object is an abstract noun '信息'.

我们可以收集一些旧衣服。

We can collect some old clothes.

Use of '一些' (some).

她在收集美丽的石头。

She is collecting beautiful stones.

Adjective '美丽的' modifying the object.

我正在收集朋友们的电话号码。

I am collecting my friends' phone numbers.

Use of '正在' for continuous action.

请把这些垃圾收集起来。

Please collect this trash.

Ba-structure: 把 + Object + 收集 + 起来.

他收集了很多好玩的贴纸。

He collected many fun stickers.

Use of '了' to indicate completion.

你收集到所有的卡片了吗？

Did you collect all the cards?

Resultative complement '到' indicating success.

写论文之前，必须收集充足的资料。

Before writing a thesis, one must gather sufficient materials.

Formal requirement '必须'.

公司正在收集客户对新产品的意见。

The company is collecting customer opinions on the new product.

Business context: collecting feedback.

警察在现场收集到了关键的证据。

The police collected key evidence at the scene.

Compound resultative '收集到'.

为了做实验，他收集了许多植物标本。

To conduct the experiment, he collected many plant specimens.

Purpose clause '为了...'.

我们需要收集更多的数据来支持这个观点。

We need to collect more data to support this viewpoint.

Infinitive-like structure '来支持...'.

他在网上收集各种免费的学习资源。

He gathers various free learning resources online.

Location '在网上' (online).

政府正在收集关于交通问题的建议。

The government is collecting suggestions regarding traffic issues.

Formal context: gathering suggestions.

她花了很多时间收集这些老照片。

She spent a lot of time collecting these old photos.

Structure: 花时间 + do something.

该项目旨在收集偏远地区的降水数据。

The project aims to collect precipitation data in remote areas.

Formal term '旨在' (aims to).

他们广泛收集了社会各界的意见。

They extensively collected opinions from all sectors of society.

Adverb '广泛' (extensively).

通过收集用户信息，APP可以提供个性化服务。

By collecting user information, the app can provide personalized services.

Prepositional phrase '通过...' (by means of).

历史学家致力于收集散落在民间的史料。

Historians are dedicated to collecting historical materials scattered among the people.

Verb '致力于' (dedicated to).

在进行市场分析时，收集竞争对手的信息至关重要。

When conducting market analysis, collecting competitor information is crucial.

Structure '...至关重要' (is vital).

我们需要一套系统的方法来收集和整理这些数据。

We need a systematic method to collect and organize this data.

Noun phrase '系统的方法'.

由于证据收集不足，案件暂时无法起诉。

Due to insufficient evidence collection, the case cannot be prosecuted for now.

Noun usage: '证据收集' (evidence collection).

该软件能自动收集系统错误报告。

The software can automatically collect system error reports.

Adverb '自动' (automatically).

他毕生都在收集和研究中国古代陶瓷。

He spent his entire life collecting and researching ancient Chinese ceramics.

Time phrase '毕生' (all one's life).

为了完善语料库，我们需要收集大量的口语素材。

To improve the corpus, we need to collect a large amount of spoken language material.

Technical term '语料库' (corpus).

该机构负责收集并分析全球气候变化的最新数据。

The agency is responsible for collecting and analyzing the latest data on global climate change.

Conjunction '并' (and also).

在人类学研究中，收集第一手资料是极其重要的。

In anthropological research, collecting first-hand information is extremely important.

Term '第一手资料' (first-hand material).

他试图通过收集碎片化的记忆来还原历史真相。

He tried to reconstruct historical truth by collecting fragmented memories.

Metaphorical use: '碎片化的记忆'.

政府应加强对个人信息收集行为的监管。

The government should strengthen supervision over personal information collection behaviors.

Formal noun phrase '收集行为'.

该博物馆致力于收集那些即将消失的传统工艺。

The museum is dedicated to collecting those traditional crafts that are about to disappear.

Relative clause '即将消失的...'.

情报人员秘密收集了敌方的军事部署计划。

Intelligence personnel secretly collected the enemy's military deployment plans.

Adverb '秘密' (secretly).

这一理论的建立，离不开对海量实验数据的收集与归纳。

The establishment of this theory is inseparable from the collection and induction of massive experimental data.

Structure '离不开...' (cannot do without).

在大数据时代，信息的收集、处理与利用已成为核心竞争力。

In the era of big data, the collection, processing, and utilization of information have become core competencies.

Parallel noun phrases.

法律明确规定了在何种情况下可以合法地收集公民的生物识别信息。

The law clearly stipulates under what circumstances citizens' biometric information can be legally collected.

Complex legal phrasing.

他以一种近乎偏执的热情，收集着关于那个失落文明的一切线索。

With an almost paranoid passion, he is collecting every clue about that lost civilization.

Descriptive phrase '近乎偏执的热情'.

这种算法能够高效地从社交媒体中收集并过滤噪声信息。

This algorithm can efficiently collect and filter noise information from social media.

Technical term '噪声信息' (noise information).

对于民俗学者而言，收集口头文学是一场与时间的赛跑。

For folklorists, collecting oral literature is a race against time.

Metaphorical '与时间的赛跑'.

通过对历代文献的广泛收集与考证，他纠正了史书中的一处错误。

Through extensive collection and textual research of documents from various dynasties, he corrected an error in the historical records.

Formal term '考证' (textual research).

在数字化转型的浪潮中，企业必须重新审视其数据收集策略。

In the wave of digital transformation, enterprises must re-examine their data collection strategies.

Metaphorical '浪潮' (wave).

Synonyms

搜集积累汇总采纳珍藏

Antonyms

分发散播

Common Collocations

收集资料

收集信息

收集证据

收集数据

收集意见

收集邮票

收集标本

收集废品

收集雨水

收集情报

Common Phrases

广泛收集

秘密收集

自动收集

系统收集

大量收集

收集齐全

收集整理

收集上来

负责收集

开始收集

Often Confused With

收集 vs 收藏

收集 vs 搜集

收集 vs 采集

Idioms & Expressions

"广开言路 (often followed by 收集意见)"

"聚沙成塔 (related concept of collecting small things to make something big)"

"博采众长 (collecting the strengths of many)"

"搜罗殆尽 (to collect everything until nothing is left)"

"兼收并蓄 (to collect and keep everything regardless of type)"

"汗牛充栋 (describing a collection of books so large it makes oxen sweat)"

"收买人心 (metaphorical: collecting/buying people's hearts/loyalty)"

"集思广益 (collecting ideas to benefit more)"

"有求必应 (not directly related but often used in 'collecting' requests)"

"无奇不有 (often said of a diverse collection)"

Easily Confused

收集 vs 收藏

Focuses on keeping/preserving as a hobby.

收集 vs 搜集

Focuses on the search process for hard-to-find items.

收集 vs 采集

Used for biological samples or data acquisition.

收集 vs 集中

Means to concentrate or focus, not gather from sources.

收集 vs 聚集

Used for people or things gathering in one spot physically.

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

not for people

Cannot mean 'picking up a person'.

physical vs abstract

It is equally common for both.

Common Mistakes

You don't 'collect' people like objects.
收集 implies gathering multiple things from various sources, not picking up one lost item.
You make friends, you don't collect them (unless you mean collecting their contact info).
Again, 收集 is for things/info.
收集 is the act of getting them; 收藏 is the act of owning/preserving them.

Tips

Context Matters

Always check if the object is something that can be 'gathered.' You don't 收集 a single item; you 收集 multiple items from different places.

Use with '起来'

Adding '起来' (qǐlái) after 收集 emphasizes the act of bringing things into a pile or group. e.g., 把资料收集起来。

Pair with '资料'

One of the most common pairings is 收集资料. Memorize this as a single unit.

Formal Adverbs

In essays, use adverbs like 广泛 (widely) or 系统 (systematically) before 收集 to sound more advanced.

Hobby Talk

Use '我喜欢收集...' as a great conversation starter to talk about your interests.

News Keywords

When you hear 收集 in the news, pay attention to the next word; it's usually 证据 (evidence) or 数据 (data).

HSK Tip

收集 is a frequent word in HSK 4 and 5 reading sections. Know its synonyms like 搜集.

Social Media

On apps like Red (Xiaohongshu), you'll see people 'collecting' tips. They use 收集 or 收藏.

Process Word

Remember that 收集 is a process. It usually leads to another action like 分析 (analyze) or 整理 (organize).

The 'Jí' Tree

Remember the character 集 is birds on a tree. 收集 is like picking those birds up.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Cultural Context

Students are often encouraged to 收集好词好句 (collect good words and sentences) in notebooks to improve writing.

Waste collection (收集废品) is an informal but vital industry in many Chinese cities.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"你平时喜欢收集什么东西吗？"

"为了这个项目，你收集了多少资料？"

"我们去哪里收集这些信息比较好？"

"你收集过什么特别的纪念品吗？"

"大数据是如何收集我们的个人信息的？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你童年时收集过的东西。

描述一下你为了完成一项任务是如何收集资料的。

你认为过度收集信息会有什么负面影响吗？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. 收集 is for objects or information. To pick up a person, use 接 (jiē). To gather people together, use 召集 (zhàojí) or 聚集 (jùjí).

收集 is general gathering. 搜集 (sōují) implies a 'search' (搜) because the items are scattered or difficult to find. 搜集 is often used for evidence or rare materials.

It is neutral and can be used in both daily conversation (collecting stickers) and formal academic writing (collecting data).

Yes, this is a very common way to say 'collecting homework' in a school setting.

You can say 数据收集 (shùjù shōují).

Common ones are 收集到 (successfully collected) and 收集齐 (collected the full set).

In Chinese, verbs can often function as nouns in context, e.g., '信息的收集' (the collection of information).

Yes, 收集废品 (collecting waste) or 垃圾收集 (trash collection) are standard terms.

Yes, 收集意见 (collecting opinions) or 收集想法 (collecting ideas) is very common.

The most direct opposites are 分散 (disperse) or 丢弃 (discard).