收拾

• Pinyin: shōu shi
• Hanzi breakdown: 收 = 攵 (tap) + 丩 (twist); 拾 = 扌(hand) + 合 (gather)

Meaning

To tidy up; to clean up; to pack; to deal with (someone).

A versatile verb primarily meaning to tidy or organize. Used for cleaning rooms, packing luggage, or organizing belongings. Colloquially, it can also mean to punish or deal with someone. Very common in everyday speech.

Examples

1. 你先收拾一下房间，客人马上就到。 Tidy up the room first — the guests will arrive soon.
2. 我还没收拾行李呢，明天就要出发了。 I haven't packed my luggage yet, and I'm leaving tomorrow.
3. 这个烂摊子谁来收拾？ Who's going to clean up this mess?

Usage Guide

Context: home, everyday, travel

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 收拾收拾就走吧。(Tidy up and let's go.)
• 我去收拾一下自己。(I'll go freshen up.)

Don't Say

• 收拾这个问题 — for solving problems, use 解决; 收拾 is for physical tidying or dealing with people

Origin & History

Compound of 收 (to collect) + 拾 (to pick up), meaning to pick things up and put them away.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal