捡

• Pinyin: jiǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 捡 = 扌(hand) + 佥 (phonetic), to pick up with hands

Meaning

To pick up (from the ground); to collect.

Specifically refers to picking something up from the ground or a lower surface. Different from 检 (to inspect) though they sound the same. Common in everyday situations like picking up dropped items or collecting things.

Examples

1. 他在路上捡到一个钱包，立刻交给了警察。 He found a wallet on the road and immediately turned it in to the police.
2. 秋天的时候，孩子们喜欢去公园里捡落叶做手工。 In autumn, children like to go to the park to collect fallen leaves for crafts.
3. 别乱扔垃圾，捡起来扔进垃圾桶里。 Don't litter — pick it up and throw it in the trash can.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, lost and found, cleaning

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 我捡到了你的钥匙。(I found your keys.)
• 帮我捡一下那支笔。(Help me pick up that pen.)

Don't Say

• 混淆捡和检 (捡 is picking up physical objects; 检 is inspection/checking)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic: 扌(hand) + 佥 (phonetic). The hand radical indicates an action done with hands.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal