采集

• Pinyin: cǎi jí
• Hanzi breakdown: 采 = to pick; 集 = 隹 (bird) + 木 (tree), depicting birds gathering on a tree

Meaning

To collect; to gather; to harvest. Systematically gathering samples, data, or natural materials.

More methodical and purposeful than simple 采. Often used in scientific, medical, and research contexts for sample collection. Also used for data collection in technology fields.

Examples

1. 医生需要采集患者的血液样本进行检验。 The doctor needs to collect blood samples from the patient for testing.
2. 人类学家花了三年时间采集各地的民间故事。 The anthropologist spent three years collecting folk stories from various regions.
3. 系统会自动采集用户行为数据。 The system automatically collects user behavior data.

Usage Guide

Context: research, medical, technology

Tone: technical

Do Say

• 采集数据是研究的第一步。(Collecting data is the first step in research.)
• 请到窗口采集指纹。(Please go to the window to have your fingerprints collected.)

Don't Say

• 我采集了几个苹果。(For casual picking of fruit, use 摘 or 采 — 采集 implies systematic collection)

Origin & History

采 (to pick, gather) + 集 (to collect, compile). Together emphasizing systematic collection.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Professional/Technical