徴収

• Reading: ちょうしゅう
• Romaji: chōshū
• Kanji breakdown: 徴 (chō) — to summon, demand, collect; 収 (shū/osa) — to collect, receive, gather
• Pronunciation: /tɕoː.ɕɯː/

Meaning

Collection; levy; exaction. The official collection of money or goods from individuals or organisations, particularly taxes, fees, premiums, or fines.

Used as both a noun and a する-verb (徴収する). The term implies a degree of compulsion — collection is made by an authoritative body from those who are obligated to pay. Covers tax collection (税金の徴収), insurance premiums (保険料の徴収), and other official levies. Related terms include 課税 (imposition of tax) and 滞納 (delinquency in payment).

Examples

1. 国税庁は納税者から所得税を徴収する権限を持つ。 The National Tax Agency has the authority to collect income tax from taxpayers.
2. 未払い分の保険料が強制的に徴収された。 Unpaid insurance premiums were collected by compulsion.
3. 新たな環境税の徴収を巡って国会で議論が続いている。 Debate continues in parliament over the collection of a new environmental tax.

Usage Guide

Context: tax, finance, governance, law

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 徴 (to summon, to collect, to demand) and 収 (to collect, to receive). Both characters relate to gathering or taking in, reinforcing the compulsory nature of official collection.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal