搜集

• Pinyin: sōu jí
• Hanzi breakdown: 搜 = 扌(hand radical) + 叟 (to search carefully); 集 = 隹 (bird) + 木 (tree) — birds gathering on a tree; to assemble

Meaning

To actively gather and compile information, materials, or objects from various sources. Implies a deliberate and systematic process of collection carried out for a specific purpose.

Commonly used in academic, journalistic, and research contexts. Collocates naturally with 资料、数据、证据、信息. Implies effort and intentionality in seeking out materials across diverse sources. Slightly more formal than 收集, with a stronger connotation of actively searching out what one needs rather than passively accumulating.

Examples

1. 研究团队花费两年时间走访各地，搜集了大量关于农村教育现状的第一手资料与典型案例，为报告提供了坚实的事实依据。 Over two years, the research team traveled to many places and collected a large amount of first-hand material and representative cases on the state of rural education, providing a solid factual basis for the report.
2. 这位历史学家倾其一生搜集散落于民间的古代文献，最终整理出版了一部极具学术价值的珍贵史料汇编。 This historian devoted his entire life to collecting ancient documents scattered among the public, and ultimately compiled and published a precious collection of historical sources with great academic value.
3. 新闻记者在报道发表前搜集了来自多方渠道的证据材料，力求确保每一条信息的真实性与可靠性。 Before publishing the story, the journalist gathered evidence from multiple channels, striving to ensure the truth and reliability of every piece of information.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, journalism, research, creative

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 项目启动前，团队系统地搜集了国内外同类研究的数据与调查报告，为后续的深度分析奠定了坚实的文献基础。(Before the project launched, the team systematically gathered data and survey reports from similar studies at home and abroad, laying a solid documentary foundation for the subsequent in-depth analysis.)
• 这位民俗学者长期深入乡村，搜集濒临失传的传统歌谣与口述故事，致力于保存这份珍贵的民间文化遗产。(This folklore scholar spent years going deep into rural communities, collecting traditional folk songs and oral stories on the verge of being lost, dedicated to preserving this precious heritage.)

Don't Say

• 搜集 与 收集 相近，但 搜集 更强调主动搜寻的过程 — 不说'我搜集了妈妈送我的礼物'；被动积累或接受用 收集 更自然

Origin & History

搜 (to search) + 集 (to gather, to compile) — to search out and compile from multiple sources

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal