征集

• Pinyin: zhēng jí
• Hanzi breakdown: 征 = 彳 + 正 (solicit); 集 = 隹 + 木 (birds gathering on a tree — assembly)

Meaning

To collect or solicit through a public call. To gather submissions, opinions, or materials from the public.

Used by organisations seeking contributions from many sources. Common objects include 意见 (opinions), 作品 (works), 志愿者 (volunteers), and 线索 (leads/clues).

Examples

1. 博物馆面向社会征集抗战时期的珍贵文物。 The museum is soliciting valuable artifacts from the War of Resistance period from the public.
2. 警方公开征集案件相关线索，呼吁市民积极提供。 Police are publicly soliciting case-related leads and urging residents to provide information.
3. 公司正在征集员工对新办公室设计的意见和建议。 The company is collecting employees’ opinions and suggestions on the new office design.

Usage Guide

Context: institutional, media, government

Tone: official

Do Say

• 大赛组委会正在向全国征集参赛作品。(The competition organising committee is soliciting entries from across the country.)
• 市政府征集市民对城市规划的意见和建议。(The municipal government is soliciting citizens' opinions and suggestions on urban planning.)

Don't Say

• 我征集朋友来帮忙 — too formal for casual requests; use 召集 (gather together) or simply 找朋友帮忙

Origin & History

征 (solicit/collect officially) + 集 (gather/assemble)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal