筹集

• Pinyin: chóu jí
• Hanzi breakdown: 筹 = ⺮ (bamboo) + 寿 (phonetic) = to raise; 集 = 隹 (bird) + 木 (tree) = to gather

Meaning

To raise; to collect; to gather (funds, resources).

Specifically about collecting money or resources from multiple sources. Common in charity, business, and community contexts. Often used with 资金 (funds) or 款项 (money).

Examples

1. 慈善机构筹集了数百万善款。 The charity raised millions in donations.
2. 他们通过网络众筹筹集了项目启动资金。 They raised project startup funds through online crowdfunding.
3. 社区居民筹集资金修建了一座小公园。 Community residents pooled money to build a small park.

Usage Guide

Context: charity, finance, community

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 为了帮助贫困学生，学校筹集了一批助学金。(To help impoverished students, the school raised a batch of financial aid.)
• 他们正在筹集资金建设新医院。(They're raising funds to build a new hospital.)

Don't Say

• 筹集朋友 (Cannot be used for gathering people — use 召集 or 聚集 for people)

Origin & History

Compound of 筹 (to plan/raise) and 集 (to gather/collect). Emphasizes the gathering aspect of fundraising.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal