领取

• Pinyin: lǐng qǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 领 = 令 + 页, lead/receive; 取 = 耳 (ear) + 又, to take

Meaning

To receive; to collect; to claim. Formally obtaining something one is entitled to.

Used for officially receiving documents, benefits, awards, etc. Common collocations: 领取护照 (collect passport), 领取工资 (receive salary), 领取奖品 (claim prize), 领取养老金 (collect pension). More formal than simply 拿 or 取.

Examples

1. 请携带身份证到服务窗口领取您的快递包裹。 Please bring your ID to the service window to collect your express delivery package.
2. 退休人员每月可以到银行领取养老金。 Retirees can collect their pensions at the bank each month.
3. 中奖者需要在三十天内领取奖品，逾期作废。 Winners must claim their prizes within thirty days; otherwise they become void.

Usage Guide

Context: official, administrative, benefits

Tone: official

Do Say

• 请到柜台领取您的证件。(Please collect your documents at the counter.)
• 他去领取失业补贴了。(He went to collect unemployment benefits.)

Don't Say

• 口语中说'领取一下' (In casual speech, just say 拿, 取, or 领; 领取 is for formal contexts)

Origin & History

Compound of 领 (to lead/receive) + 取 (to take). Formal term for receiving something one is entitled to.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal