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B1 verb/noun #6,000 most common 9 min read

采样

caiyang Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 采样 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 采样 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '采样' (cǎiyàng) very often in your own speaking, but it is good to recognize it. Think of it as 'taking a small piece to look at.' You might see it in a hospital or a science museum. The word is made of 'cǎi' (to pick, like picking a flower) and 'yàng' (a sample or kind). So, it's like 'picking a sample.' For now, just remember that it is a formal word used in science or medicine. If you see a sign that says '采样点' (cǎiyàng diǎn), it just means 'Place to take a sample/test.' You don't need to worry about the complex math or science behind it yet. Just know that it involves collecting something small to represent something big. If you are talking about food, don't use this word! Use '尝' (cháng) instead. '采样' is for serious things like blood tests or water tests. It is a very polite and professional word.

At the A2 level, you might start seeing '采样' (cǎiyàng) in news reports or health-related contexts. It's a verb and a noun. It means 'to sample' or 'sampling.' You can use it when talking about simple scientific experiments or medical tests. For example, if you are at a clinic, the nurse might perform '采样.' You can understand it as a more professional version of '拿样本' (ná yàngběn - take a sample). It's important to notice that this word is used in specific places like labs, hospitals, or when talking about technology. You might hear it in phrases like '核酸采样' (hésuān cǎiyàng), which was very common during the pandemic for virus testing. When you use it, you sound more educated and precise. Try to remember it as a 'technical collection' word. It's not for picking up your toys or gathering your friends; it's for gathering data or specimens.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '采样' (cǎiyàng) in technical or professional discussions. You'll recognize that it's a key term in statistics, environmental science, and digital media. You should understand the structure '对...进行采样' (to perform sampling on...). This is a very common way to use the word in formal writing or speaking. For example, '我们需要对水源进行采样' (We need to sample the water source). You should also be aware of '采样率' (cǎiyàng lǜ - sampling rate) if you are interested in music or computers. At this level, you should be careful not to confuse '采样' with '样本' (the actual object) or '采集' (general collection). '采样' implies a specific method is being used to ensure the sample represents the whole. It's a very useful word for describing research processes or technical workflows. You will also see it in social science contexts, such as when a survey 'samples' a certain number of people from a city to understand their opinions.

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of '采样' (cǎiyàng) and its nuances across different fields. You should be able to discuss the methodology of a study using terms like '随机采样' (suíjī cǎiyàng - random sampling) or '分层采样' (fēncéng cǎiyàng - stratified sampling). You understand that in the context of digital signals, 采样 refers to the discretization of continuous signals, a fundamental concept in engineering and computer science. You can use the word to explain why a certain piece of research is valid or invalid based on its sampling methods. For example, you might argue that a '采样偏差' (sampling bias) led to incorrect conclusions. You should also be comfortable using 采样 in creative contexts, such as music production, where it refers to using a portion of an existing sound recording. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's formal register, and you should be able to switch between 采样, 抽样, and 采集 depending on the specific technical requirements of the topic.

At the C1 level, '采样' (cǎiyàng) becomes a tool for precise academic and professional communication. You are expected to understand its implications in complex systems, such as Monte Carlo sampling in mathematics or high-frequency sampling in financial markets. You can discuss the trade-offs between '采样频率' (sampling frequency) and data processing power. In a medical or biological context, you can describe the specific protocols for '采样保存' (sample preservation) and '采样运输' (sample transport). Your vocabulary should include related technical terms like '欠采样' (undersampling) and '过采样' (oversampling), and you should be able to explain their effects on data integrity (such as aliasing in signal processing). You can also use the word metaphorically or in high-level business strategy, such as 'sampling' market sentiment through various data points. Your command of the word allows you to navigate professional environments where precision is paramount, and you can distinguish the subtle differences in connotation between 采样 and its synonyms in highly specialized literature.

At the C2 level, you possess a near-native understanding of '采样' (cǎiyàng), including its historical development and its most abstract applications. You can engage in deep technical debates about sampling theory, Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem (奈奎斯特-香农采样定理), and the philosophical implications of representing a continuous reality through discrete samples. You are sensitive to the stylistic choices of using 采样 versus 抽样 in different academic traditions (e.g., Soviet-influenced vs. Western-influenced terminology in certain Chinese scientific fields). You can write professional-grade research papers or technical specifications that use 采样 with perfect accuracy and sophisticated phrasing. You also understand the legal and ethical dimensions of sampling, such as '采样版权' (sampling copyright) in the music industry or '隐私采样' (privacy-preserving sampling) in big data. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native professional, and you can use it to articulate complex ideas with clarity and authority.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

采样 in 30 Seconds

采样 (cǎiyàng) means 'sampling' in technical, medical, and scientific contexts.
It is used as both a verb (to sample) and a noun (the sampling process).
Commonly seen in medical testing (COVID tests) and digital audio (sampling rate).
It implies a formal, methodical collection rather than a casual one.

The Chinese term 采样 (cǎiyàng) is a compound word that functions as both a verb and a noun. At its core, it refers to the systematic process of selecting a representative portion from a larger group or substance to analyze its properties. In modern Chinese, this word has exploded in usage across diverse fields, ranging from medical diagnostics and environmental science to digital music production and big data analytics. The first character, 采 (cǎi), means to gather, pick, or collect, while the second, 样 (yàng), refers to a sample, pattern, or model. Together, they describe the act of 'gathering a sample.'

Scientific Context: In laboratory settings, 采样 is the standard term for taking specimens. Whether it is a biologist taking a water sample from a polluted river or a geologist collecting rock fragments, the term denotes a methodical approach to collection that ensures the sample is untainted and representative of the source.
Medical Context: Post-2020, this word became a household name in China due to mass testing. The phrase 核酸采样 (hésuān cǎiyàng - nucleic acid sampling) refers to the process of swabbing for a virus. It describes the physical action of the medical professional taking the biological material.
Digital Context: In audio engineering and signal processing, 采样 refers to 'sampling rate' (采样率). This is the process of converting an analog signal into a digital format by taking discrete measurements of the sound wave at set intervals. If you are a fan of hip-hop or electronic music, you will hear artists talk about 采样 when they take a snippet of an old record to use in a new track.

为了确保实验的准确性，我们需要在不同的时间点进行采样。 (To ensure the accuracy of the experiment, we need to perform sampling at different time points.)

When people use 采样, they are usually implying a level of precision. In statistical surveys, 采样 is the bridge between a small group and a massive population. Without proper 采样, the data collected would be biased and useless. Therefore, when you hear this word in a business meeting or a news report, it signals that the information being discussed is based on evidence gathered through a specific methodology. In the world of Big Data, 采样 is a crucial step in data cleaning and preprocessing, where engineers select a subset of data to train machine learning models. This prevents the systems from being overwhelmed by too much information while still allowing them to learn the underlying patterns. In summary, 采样 is the act of choosing a small part to understand the big picture, a concept that is fundamental to modern science and technology.

Using 采样 correctly requires understanding its role as both a noun and a verb. As a verb, it often follows an object or is used within a prepositional phrase. As a noun, it frequently appears in technical descriptions or as part of a compound noun. Let's explore the various grammatical structures where this word shines.

Verb Structure: 对...进行采样: This is the most common formal way to say 'to perform sampling on something.' Example: 工程师正在对土壤进行采样 (The engineer is sampling the soil).
As a Modifier: 采样+Noun: When 采样 acts as an adjective/modifier, it describes tools or metrics. For instance, 采样点 (cǎiyàng diǎn) means 'sampling point' or 'collection site.' 采样工具 (cǎiyàng gōngjù) means 'sampling tools.'

这个音频文件的采样率非常高，所以音质很清晰。 (The sampling rate of this audio file is very high, so the sound quality is very clear.)

In a B1 level context, you might encounter 采样 in discussions about environmental protection or health. For example, if you are reading a news article about air quality, you might see the phrase '空气采样' (air sampling). This refers to the machines that 'breathe' in air to test for pollutants. In these sentences, 采样 is often the subject of the sentence, performing the action of providing data.

医生建议在空腹状态下进行血液采样。 (The doctor recommends blood sampling while fasting.)

Furthermore, 采样 can be used in the passive voice with '被' (bèi), although it is less common. For example, '样本已被采样完毕' (The samples have been completely collected). In the world of statistics, '随机采样' (suíjī cǎiyàng - random sampling) is a fixed phrase that describes a method where every member of a population has an equal chance of being selected. This is vital for avoiding bias in research. Mastering the use of 采样 involves understanding that it is a 'process-oriented' word—it emphasizes the method of collection rather than just the objects themselves.

Understanding where you will encounter 采样 helps in grasping its register. It is not a word you would typically use while chatting with friends at a bar, unless those friends are audio engineers or laboratory technicians. However, in the professional world and public service announcements, it is ubiquitous.

Hospitals and Testing Centers: In China, during any health screening, you will see signs pointing to the 采样区 (Sampling Area). Staff will ask you to '配合采样' (cooperate with the sampling). It sounds more clinical and professional than just saying 'taking a test.'
Music and Creative Studios: If you watch a documentary about a famous music producer, they might say, '我在这首歌中采样了一段古典音乐' (I sampled a piece of classical music in this song). Here, it refers to the creative act of repurposing sound.

这个湖泊的水质采样工作每季度进行一次。 (The water quality sampling of this lake is conducted once every quarter.)

In the news, 采样 frequently appears in reports about social trends or economic data. When the government reports on the 'average salary,' they will mention the 采样范围 (sampling range) to explain which cities or industries were included in the calculation. This gives the data credibility. In the tech industry, specifically in Artificial Intelligence, 采样 is a daily topic. Developers discuss 'downsampling' (下采样) and 'upsampling' (上采样) when processing images to change their resolution or prepare them for neural networks.

Lastly, in the field of manufacturing, 采样 is part of 'Quality Control' (质量控制). Before a batch of products leaves a factory, workers perform '抽样检查' (sampling inspection). While 抽样 is slightly more common for physical products, 采样 is used when the process involves more technical measurement, like testing the chemical composition of a plastic batch. By listening for 采样 in these specific contexts, you can better understand the level of technicality in a Chinese conversation or document.

For English speakers, the primary difficulty with 采样 lies in its specificity. In English, the word 'sample' can be used in many ways, but in Chinese, different words are used depending on whether you are talking about the act, the object, or the experience.

Mistake 1: Using 采样 for 'trying food': If you say '我可以采样这个蛋糕吗？' (Can I sample this cake?), a Chinese speaker will think you want to take it to a lab for chemical analysis. Use 品尝 (pǐncháng) or 尝尝 (chángcháng) for tasting food.
Mistake 2: Confusing 采样 with 样本: 采样 is the action or the process. 样本 (yàngběn) is the noun for the physical sample itself. You '采样' to get a '样本'.

错误：我们需要更多的采样来完成研究。
正确：我们需要更多的样本来完成研究。 (Correction: Use '样本' when referring to the quantity of items needed.)

Another nuance is the difference between 采样 and 抽样 (chōuyàng). While they are often interchangeable in statistics, 采样 is preferred in technical, digital, and biological contexts, while 抽样 is preferred in social sciences and quality control. For example, 'random sampling' is usually 随机抽样 in a math book, but 'audio sampling' is always 音频采样. Using the wrong one won't always make you misunderstood, but it will sound slightly 'off' to a native ear.

Finally, be careful with the word 采集 (cǎijí). 采集 means to collect or gather in a more general sense, often used for data collection (数据采集) or gathering wild plants. 采样 specifically implies that what you are gathering is a *representative sample* of a larger whole. If you are gathering all the data available, use 采集. If you are only taking a small piece to represent the rest, use 采样. Understanding these boundaries will help you sound much more professional and precise in your Chinese communication.

To truly master 采样, you must see how it fits into the ecosystem of 'collection' words in Chinese. Here is a comparison with its closest relatives.

抽样 (chōuyàng): Focuses on the 'drawing' or 'extracting' (抽) aspect. It is the standard term for statistical sampling. Use this when talking about surveys, polls, or selecting items for inspection from a factory line.
采集 (cǎijí): A broader term for 'collecting.' It is used for gathering information, biological specimens (in a general sense), or natural resources. It doesn't necessarily imply that the collection is a representative 'sample.'
取样 (qǔyàng): Very similar to 采样, but '取' means 'to take.' This is often used in chemistry and industrial processes. It is slightly more physical than 采样.

虽然采样和抽样在很多情况下可以互换，但在数字信号处理中，我们只使用“采样”。 (Although sampling and statistical sampling are interchangeable in many cases, in digital signal processing, we only use 'sampling' [采样].)

When deciding which word to use, consider the 'feel' of the action. If the action feels like a scientific procedure, 采样 is likely the best choice. If it feels like a simple gathering of things, 采集 is better. If it involves a mathematical probability, 抽样 is the winner. For example, if you are 'collecting' user data from an app, you are doing 数据采集. If you take a subset of that data to test a new algorithm, you are doing 数据采样.

In summary, 采样 is a high-utility word for anyone dealing with science, technology, or modern administration in China. By comparing it to 抽样 and 采集, you can see that it occupies a specific niche of 'technical representative collection.' As you progress to higher levels of Chinese, being able to distinguish between these synonyms will be a key marker of your fluency.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '采' is one of the oldest in Chinese, appearing on oracle bones over 3,000 years ago, showing how the act of 'gathering' has been central to the language since its inception.

Pronunciation Guide

UK tsʰaɪ˨˩ i̯ɑŋ˥˩

US tsʰaɪ˨˩ i̯ɑŋ˥˩

The emphasis is slightly more on the second syllable 'yàng' due to its falling fourth tone.

Rhymes With

海 (hǎi) 买 (mǎi) 放 (fàng) 样 (yàng) 想 (xiǎng) 上 (shàng) 亮 (liàng) 唱 (chàng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'c' as 'k' (it should be 'ts').
Forgetting the third tone dip on 'cǎi'.
Confusing 'yàng' with 'yáng' (second tone).
Nasalizing the 'ang' too much like 'ong'.
Mixing up 'cǎi' with 'chǎi' (sh-sound).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are relatively simple, but the contexts are technical.

Writing 4/5

Writing '采样' correctly requires remembering the hand radical in 采 and the wood radical in 样.

Speaking 3/5

Tones (3rd and 4th) are distinct and important for clarity.

Listening 3/5

Easily confused with other 'cai' or 'yang' words if context is missing.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

采集 (Collect) 样本 (Sample) 检查 (Check) 数据 (Data) 进行 (Perform)

Learn Next

统计 (Statistics) 偏差 (Bias) 频率 (Frequency) 算法 (Algorithm) 代表性 (Representativeness)

Advanced

奈奎斯特频率 (Nyquist frequency) 蒙特卡罗模拟 (Monte Carlo simulation) 分层抽样 (Stratified sampling)

Grammar to Know

Using '进行' (jìnxíng) with two-syllable verbs

对样本进行采样 (Perform sampling on the specimen).

Noun compounding in technical Chinese

采样 + 率 = 采样率 (Sampling + Rate = Sampling Rate).

Preposition '对' (duì) to indicate the target

对水质采样 (Sample the water quality).

Resultative complements with sampling

采样完了 (Finished sampling).

Passive voice with '被' (bèi)

样本被采样了 (The sample was taken).

Examples by Level

医生在给我采样。

The doctor is taking a sample from me.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

这里是采样点。

This is the sampling point.

Noun compound '采样点' (sampling point).

我们要去采样。

We are going to take samples.

Using '去' (go) + verb.

采样很快就结束了。

The sampling finished very quickly.

采样 used as a noun subject.

请配合采样。

Please cooperate with the sampling.

Formal request using '请' (please).

采样疼吗？

Does sampling hurt?

Simple question with '吗'.

他正在采样水。

He is sampling the water.

'正在' indicates an action in progress.

采样已经完成了。

The sampling has already been completed.

Using '已经...了' for completed action.

护士在为病人进行采样。

The nurse is performing sampling for the patient.

'为...进行' is a more formal structure.

这些采样工具很干净。

These sampling tools are very clean.

采样 used as a modifier for '工具' (tools).

每天有很多人来这里采样。

Many people come here every day for sampling.

Indicates a repeated action.

采样后请不要离开。

Please do not leave after sampling.

'...后' means 'after'.

我们需要采样土壤。

We need to sample the soil.

Direct verb-object usage.

采样过程非常严格。

The sampling process is very strict.

'过程' (process) is a common noun to pair with 采样.

他在实验室里忙着采样。

He is busy sampling in the laboratory.

'忙着' (busy doing something).

采样结果明天出来。

The sampling results will come out tomorrow.

'结果' (result) used as the noun being modified.

为了研究空气质量，我们需要在全市范围内采样。

In order to study air quality, we need to sample throughout the city.

'为了' (in order to) introduces the purpose.

这种音频采样技术可以让声音更真实。

This audio sampling technology can make the sound more realistic.

Technical use in audio engineering.

研究人员对不同年龄段的人群进行了采样。

The researchers performed sampling on groups of different age ranges.

Uses the '对...进行' formal structure.

采样率越高，记录的声音细节就越多。

The higher the sampling rate, the more sound details are recorded.

'越...越...' (the more... the more...).

我们在深海进行了沉积物采样。

We conducted sediment sampling in the deep sea.

Specific scientific terminology '沉积物' (sediment).

采样时必须遵守安全规程。

Safety regulations must be followed when sampling.

'必须' (must) + '遵守' (comply with).

该调查的采样样本具有代表性。

The sampling samples of this survey are representative.

'具有代表性' (to be representative).

采样误差可能会影响最终的结论。

Sampling errors might affect the final conclusion.

'误差' (error) is a common technical collocation.

通过随机采样，我们可以更客观地了解民意。

Through random sampling, we can understand public opinion more objectively.

'通过' (through) + method.

这首歌采样了七十年代的经典旋律。

This song sampled a classic melody from the seventies.

Usage in the music industry.

采样频率不足会导致信号失真。

Insufficient sampling frequency will lead to signal distortion.

Technical term '信号失真' (signal distortion).

实验室采用了先进的自动采样系统。

The laboratory adopted an advanced automatic sampling system.

'采用' (adopt) + '系统' (system).

在进行地质采样时，位置的选择至关重要。

When performing geological sampling, the choice of location is crucial.

'至关重要' (extremely important).

采样方案需要经过专家的严格评审。

The sampling plan needs to undergo strict review by experts.

'方案' (plan/scheme) + '评审' (review).

大规模采样需要庞大的人力和物力支持。

Large-scale sampling requires massive manpower and material support.

'人力' and '物力' are formal terms for resources.

为了防止污染，采样瓶必须是无菌的。

To prevent contamination, sampling bottles must be sterile.

'防止' (prevent) + '污染' (pollution).

该算法通过对海量数据进行下采样来提高处理速度。

The algorithm improves processing speed by downsampling massive amounts of data.

Technical term '下采样' (downsampling).

采样定理规定了恢复连续信号所需的最低频率。

The sampling theorem stipulates the minimum frequency required to recover a continuous signal.

Academic term '采样定理' (sampling theorem).

在临床试验中，采样偏差是必须极力避免的。

In clinical trials, sampling bias must be avoided at all costs.

Abstract noun '偏差' (bias/deviation).

研究人员在火星表面成功进行了岩石采样。

Researchers successfully performed rock sampling on the surface of Mars.

High-level scientific context.

这种新型传感器可以实现高精度的实时采样。

This new sensor can achieve high-precision real-time sampling.

'实现' (achieve) + '采样'.

采样深度决定了音频信号的动态范围。

Sampling depth determines the dynamic range of an audio signal.

Technical term '采样深度' (bit depth/sampling depth).

为了确保统计效力，采样量必须达到一定规模。

To ensure statistical power, the sample size must reach a certain scale.

'统计效力' (statistical power).

采样管的材质可能会对样本成分产生干扰。

The material of the sampling tube might interfere with the sample components.

'对...产生干扰' (to interfere with).

蒙特卡罗方法依赖于大量的随机采样来模拟复杂系统。

The Monte Carlo method relies on extensive random sampling to simulate complex systems.

Advanced mathematical terminology.

在后现代音乐创作中，采样已成为一种解构主义的表达手段。

In postmodern music creation, sampling has become a deconstructive means of expression.

Philosophical and artistic terminology.

由于采样间隔过大，该实验未能捕捉到瞬态反应。

Due to the sampling interval being too large, the experiment failed to capture the transient response.

'瞬态反应' (transient response).

非概率采样虽然便捷，但在推断总体时存在局限性。

Although non-probability sampling is convenient, it has limitations when inferring the population.

'推断总体' (inferring the population).

该论文深入探讨了压缩采样在图像处理中的应用。

This paper explores the application of compressed sensing (sampling) in image processing in depth.

'压缩采样' (compressed sensing/sampling).

采样频率的提升对硬件的吞吐量提出了更高要求。

The increase in sampling frequency places higher demands on hardware throughput.

'吞吐量' (throughput).

在极地考察中，冰芯采样是研究古气候的关键手段。

In polar expeditions, ice core sampling is a key means of studying paleoclimate.

'古气候' (paleoclimate).

该系统的稳健性取决于其对异常值的采样处理策略。

The robustness of the system depends on its sampling treatment strategy for outliers.

'稳健性' (robustness) and '异常值' (outliers).

Synonyms

抽样取样样本

Antonyms

全检

Common Collocations

采样率

采样点

随机采样

采样误差

核酸采样

自动采样

土壤采样

音频采样

实时采样

采样方案

Common Phrases

进行采样

— To perform sampling. Used in formal reports.

我们正在对该地区进行采样。

采样频率

— Sampling frequency. How often a sample is taken.

提高采样频率可以获得更多细节。

采样间隔

— Sampling interval. The time between samples.

采样间隔设定为五分钟。

样本采样

— The act of sampling specimens.

样本采样必须在无菌环境下进行。

采样深度

— Bit depth (audio) or sampling depth (physical).

24位采样深度提供了极高的动态范围。

多点采样

— Multi-point sampling. Sampling from several locations.

多点采样可以减少误差。

分层采样

— Stratified sampling. Sampling from different layers/groups.

分层采样确保了各阶层都被代表。

采样证明

— Proof of sampling. Often a document.

请出示您的采样证明。

采样协议

— Sampling protocol. The rules for how to sample.

严格执行采样协议。

采样瓶

— Sampling bottle.

把水装进采样瓶里。

Often Confused With

采样 vs 抽样

More common in statistics and surveys, while 采样 is more common in signals and biology.

采样 vs 采集

Refers to gathering all data/items, whereas 采样 is just taking a representative piece.

采样 vs 取样

Very close, but often used for physical materials in chemistry/industry.

Idioms & Expressions

"取样调查"

— To conduct a survey by sampling. Very common in social research.

我们通过取样调查了解了消费者的需求。

Formal

"举一反三"

— To infer other things from one fact (related to the concept of sampling).

通过这次采样，我们可以举一反三，推断出整个地区的污染情况。

Literary/Common

"管中窥豹"

— To see only one spot of a leopard through a tube (sampling but potentially biased).

仅凭一次采样就下结论，未免有些管中窥豹。

Literary

"见微知著"

— To see the whole from a small sign (successful sampling).

科学家的采样工作就是为了见微知著。

Literary

"以此类推"

— And so on by analogy (after taking a sample).

第一组采样结果如此，以此类推，其他组也应该差不多。

Formal

"点面结合"

— Combining the point (sample) with the surface (whole).

我们的研究采用了点面结合的方法，既有重点采样，也有全面调查。

Formal

"因地制宜"

— Suit measures to local conditions (important for sampling locations).

采样地点的选择需要因地制宜。

Formal

"随机抽取"

— To draw at random.

系统会随机抽取用户进行采样。

Technical

"百里挑一"

— One in a hundred (a very small sample).

这次采样的样本是百里挑一的。

Common

"实事求是"

— Seek truth from facts (the goal of honest sampling).

采样过程必须实事求是，不能造假。

Formal/Political

Easily Confused

采样 vs 样本 (yàngběn)

Both contain '样' and relate to sampling.

采样 is the verb/process; 样本 is the physical object/specimen collected.

我们完成了采样，现在有十个样本。

采样 vs 品尝 (pǐncháng)

Both mean 'to sample' in English.

品尝 is for tasting food for pleasure; 采样 is for scientific analysis.

请品尝这道菜，但不要对它进行采样。

采样 vs 收集 (shōují)

Both involve getting things.

收集 is general 'collecting' (stamps, info); 采样 is methodical and representative.

他在收集邮票，不是在进行采样。

采样 vs 采取 (cǎiqǔ)

Both start with '采'.

采取 means 'to adopt' (a policy/measure); 采样 means 'to sample'.

政府采取了措施来加强核酸采样。

采样 vs 样品 (yàngpǐn)

Both contain '样'.

样品 is a product sample (like a free shampoo); 样本 is a scientific specimen.

厂家寄来了样品，我们对其进行了采样分析。

Sentence Patterns

谁 + 在 + 采样

医生在采样。

对 + [Target] + 进行采样

对土壤进行采样。

采样 + [Noun]

采样时间到了。

通过 + 采样 + [Result]

通过采样，我们发现了问题。

[Noun] + 的采样率 + 很 + [Adj]

这个音频的采样率很高。

基于 + 采样 + 的 + [Noun]

基于采样的算法非常高效。

采样 + 导致了 + [Technical Result]

采样不足导致了混叠现象。

由...进行的采样 + 具有...意义

由该机构进行的采样具有重大的学术意义。

Word Family

Nouns

样本 (yàngběn - sample)

样品 (yàngpǐn - specimen/prototype)

采样率 (cǎiyànglǜ - sampling rate)

采样点 (cǎiyàngdiǎn - sampling point)

Verbs

采取 (cǎiqǔ - to adopt/take)

采纳 (cǎinà - to accept/adopt)

采购 (cǎigòu - to purchase)

采样 (cǎiyàng - to sample)

Adjectives

采样的 (cǎiyàng de - sampling-related)

样板的 (yàngbǎn de - model/exemplary)

采集 (cǎijí)

测量 (cèliáng)

分析 (fēnxī)

实验 (shíyàn)

数据 (shùjù)

How to Use It

frequency

High in news, medical, and technical fields.

Common Mistakes

我要采样这个苹果。 → 我要尝尝这个苹果。
You don't 'sample' (scientifically) an apple you want to eat. Use '尝' (taste).
采样很多。 → 样本很多。
You can't have 'many samplings' (actions) in this way; you have 'many samples' (objects).
他在采集水。 → 他在采样水。
If he is taking a small amount for a test, '采样' is more precise than the general '采集'.
音频抽样率。 → 音频采样率。
In digital audio, '采样' is the specific technical term used, not '抽样'.
对数据进行采取。 → 对数据进行采样。
'采取' means 'to adopt' (a policy). It cannot be used for data sampling.

Tips

Use with '进行'

To sound more natural in a professional setting, use the phrase '进行采样' (perform sampling) instead of just '采样' as a verb.

Don't confuse with 采集

Remember: 采集 is for gathering everything or general data; 采样 is for taking a representative piece.

Tone Accuracy

The third tone in 'cǎi' must be clear. If you say it with a first tone, it sounds like '猜' (to guess).

Radical Awareness

The wood radical (木) in '样' reminds you that the original 'pattern' or 'sample' was made of wood.

Medical Politeness

In a hospital, using '采样' shows you understand the technical process and is more polite than '抽血' (drawing blood).

Audio Terms

If you are into music, learn '采样率' (sampling rate) and '采样深度' (bit depth) together.

Environmental Context

When reading about ecology, '采样' is usually paired with '土壤' (soil) or '水质' (water quality).

Random Sampling

Always pair '随机' (random) with '采样' when discussing unbiased data collection.

Food Sampling

Never use '采样' at a grocery store sample station. Use '试吃' (shìchī) instead.

News Reports

When you hear '采样' on the news, pay attention to the '范围' (range) they mention to understand the data's context.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a hand (采) picking a small piece of a large cake (样) to test if it's tasty. That's 采样!

Visual Association

Visualize a scientist in a lab coat dipping a test tube into a river. The action of dipping is 'cǎi' and the water in the tube is the 'yàng'.

Word Web

采样 (Sampling) 数据 (Data) 实验 (Experiment) 医院 (Hospital) 音乐 (Music) 水质 (Water quality) 结果 (Result) 准确 (Accurate)

Challenge

Try to use '采样' in a sentence about your favorite music or a health checkup you had.

Word Origin

The word 采样 is composed of two ancient Chinese characters. '采' (cǎi) originally depicted a hand picking fruit or leaves from a tree, symbolizing collection. '样' (yàng) originally referred to a 'pattern' or 'shape' made of wood. In modern technical language, they were combined to translate the Western scientific concept of 'sampling.'

Original meaning: To gather a pattern or model.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be mindful when discussing 'sampling' in medical contexts, as it can be a sensitive topic related to the pandemic history.

In English, 'sampling' is often associated with free food at Costco, but in Chinese, 采样 is much more formal.

Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem (奈奎斯特-香农采样定理) Mass testing protocols in China (2020-2022) Hip-hop production techniques (音乐采样)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Medical Testing

核酸采样 (Nucleic acid sampling)
血液采样 (Blood sampling)
采样点 (Sampling point)
配合采样 (Cooperate with sampling)

Environmental Science

水质采样 (Water quality sampling)
土壤采样 (Soil sampling)
空气采样 (Air sampling)
采样深度 (Sampling depth)

Digital Audio/Music

音频采样 (Audio sampling)
采样率 (Sampling rate)
采样深度 (Bit depth)
经典采样 (Classic sample)

Data Science

数据采样 (Data sampling)
随机采样 (Random sampling)
下采样 (Downsampling)
过采样 (Oversampling)

Quality Control

产品采样 (Product sampling)
采样检查 (Sampling inspection)
采样方案 (Sampling plan)
合格采样 (Qualified sampling)

Conversation Starters

"你觉得这个音频的采样率够高吗？ (Do you think the sampling rate of this audio is high enough?)"

"我们在哪里可以找到最近的核酸采样点？ (Where can we find the nearest nucleic acid sampling point?)"

"这首流行歌曲采样了哪首古典音乐？ (Which classical music did this pop song sample?)"

"我们在做市场调研时应该如何进行采样？ (How should we perform sampling when doing market research?)"

"采样误差会不会对你的研究结果产生很大影响？ (Will sampling error have a big impact on your research results?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你参加采样的经历（比如体检或科学实验）。 (Describe an experience where you participated in sampling, such as a physical checkup or science experiment.)

如果你是一名科学家，你会去哪里采样来研究环境污染？ (If you were a scientist, where would you go to sample to study environmental pollution?)

谈谈你对音乐中‘采样’这种创作方式的看法。 (Talk about your views on 'sampling' as a creative method in music.)

为什么在统计学中，随机采样是非常重要的？ (Why is random sampling very important in statistics?)

想象你正在火星上采样，你会收集什么？ (Imagine you are sampling on Mars, what would you collect?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 采样 is too technical for that. For perfume, use '试用' (shìyòng - to try out) or '闻一闻' (wén yī wén - to smell). 采样 would imply you are analyzing the chemical structure of the perfume in a lab.

Since 2020, yes. Because of mass health testing, almost everyone in China knows this word. Before that, it was mostly used by scientists and engineers.

In many contexts like statistics, they are interchangeable. However, 采样 is the standard term for digital signals (audio/video) and biological specimens (swabs), while 抽样 is the standard term for social surveys and quality control in factories.

Yes, it is frequently used as a noun. For example, '采样的结果' (the results of the sampling) or '高频率采样' (high-frequency sampling).

It is '采样率' (cǎiyàng lǜ). This is a very common term in computer science and music production.

Yes! When a producer uses a piece of another song, it's called 采样. For example: '这首歌采样了迈克尔·杰克逊的作品' (This song sampled Michael Jackson's work).

It literally means 'sampling point.' In recent years, it specifically referred to the booths or tents where people went to get tested for viruses.

No. Use '采' (cǎi) or '摘' (zhāi) for picking flowers. 采样 is only for taking a sample for a specific purpose like research.

Yes, it is a formal and technical term. In a casual conversation about non-technical things, you would rarely hear it.

It means 'random sampling.' This is a core concept in statistics where every item in a group has an equal chance of being picked.