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March 24, 2026
收shōu(shou1)
The character 收 (shōu) means to receive or accept something, often implying the action of collecting or putting something away. It can also refer to restraining or stopping an action. This character is commonly used in various contexts, from receiving packages to collecting payments.
Strokes6Radical攵Frequency#954DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, '收' can be related to the concept of receiving blessings or gifts during festivals, where the act of receiving is seen as an important social interaction.
Memory Tip
Imagine '收' as a person holding out their hands to receive a gift, with the top part resembling hands gathering something while the bottom part signifies an envelope being accepted. The pronunciation 'shōu' sounds like 'show,' as in showing your hands to collect something.
Meanings of 收
shōu(shou1)
1to receive
2to accept
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 收
收Simplified
6Strokes
攵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#954Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 收
Podcast: 收
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AI Study Notes for 收
Quick Contrast
收 (shōu) vs 接 (jiē) — use 收 for receiving or accepting something, while 接 is more about receiving someone or something in a more direct, immediate sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine '收' as a person holding out their hands to receive a gift, with the top part resembling hands gathering something while the bottom part signifies an envelope being accepted. The pronunciation 'shōu' sounds like 'show,' as in showing your hands to collect something.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context; '收' can be both formal and informal depending on usage. Common collocations include '收款' (to collect payment) and '收拾' (to tidy up). Ensure that you use the correct tone, as mispronouncing 'shōu' could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, '收' connects well with verbs related to actions and processes, such as '拿' (to take) and '放' (to put). Focus on practicing its usage in sentences to solidify understanding and recall.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, '收' can be related to the concept of receiving blessings or gifts during festivals, where the act of receiving is seen as an important social interaction.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 收 (shōu) with 受 (shòu), which means to receive in a more passive sense. For example, saying '我收你的信' (I receive your letter) is incorrect; it should be '我收到你的信' (I received your letter).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 收
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Grammar Patterns of 收
收 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
收 implies receiving something, while 接 implies actively taking or connecting.
1
我收到了包裹。 vs. 我接到了电话。
收 implies receiving something, while 接 implies actively taking or connecting.
💡Think of 收 as 'to receive' and 接 as 'to connect', both involve getting something but in different contexts.
Usage Notes for 收
Confusion with usage contextCommon Error
Learners often confuse 收 with other similar verbs like 接 and 取. It's important to understand that 收 specifically means to receive or collect, while 接 is more about connecting or receiving in a direct sense.
1
我收到了礼物。
I received a gift.
2
我接到了电话。
I answered the phone.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
我____到了礼物。
I received a gift.
Example Sentences for 收 (10)
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1
我未收到任何复函或答复。
wǒ wèi shōu dào rèn hé fù hán huò dá fù。
I have received neither an acknowledgment nor a reply.
2
现在夫妻双方分别按各自的收入纳税。
xiàn zài fū qī shuāng fāng fēn bié àn gè zì de shōu rù nà shuì。
Husband and wife are now taxed separately on their incomes.
You'll take everything you're offered yet your own generosity is virtually non-existent.
Cultural Notes for 收
💡Did you know?
'收' not only means 'to receive' but is often used in phrases related to collecting things, like 收集 (shōu jí) meaning 'to collect'.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, '收' can be related to the concept of receiving blessings or gifts during festivals, where the act of receiving is seen as an important social interaction.
Word Family of 收
Compounds3
浆jiang1pulp, starch, syrup; a thick fluid
桨jiang3oar
荍
Words Containing This Character20
收shōuto receive
收到shōudàoto receive
收入shōurùto take in
收拾shōushito tidy up
收集shōujíto gather
收购shōugòuto acquire (a company)收購
收费shōufèito charge a fee收費
收益shōuyìearnings
收藏shōucángto hoard
收获shōuhuòto harvest收穫
吸收xīshōuto absorb
收回shōuhuíto regain
税收shuìshōutaxation稅收
收养shōuyǎngadoption收養
接收jiēshōuto receive
收看shōukànto watch (a TV program)
回收huíshōuto recycle
收音机shōuyīnjīradio收音機
没收mòshōuto seize沒收
收取shōuqǔto receive
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 浆 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 收
Common phrases using 收 include '收拾' (shōushi), which means 'to tidy up' or 'to organize,' and '收获' (shōuhuò), meaning 'to harvest' or 'to gain.' These phrases highlight the versatility of the character in different contexts.
Yes, 收 (shōu) can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal situations, it might refer to accepting documents or payments, while in everyday conversation, it can relate to receiving gifts or putting away items. Its adaptability makes it a useful character in various scenarios.
收 (shōu) means 'to receive,' 'to accept,' 'to collect,' or 'to put away.' It can also imply actions like restraining or stopping something. This character is commonly used in various contexts, such as receiving gifts or collecting items.
You can use 收 (shōu) in sentences like '我收到了你的信' (Wǒ shōudào le nǐ de xìn), which means 'I received your letter.' Another example is '请把书收起来' (Qǐng bǎ shū shōu qǐlái), meaning 'Please put the book away.' This character can indicate both the action of receiving and the act of putting something away.
收 can be used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the situation.
While it's more common for physical items, you can use 收 in a broader sense for receiving information, but it’s less common.
