Chinese Character: 集
1. Character Basics
Radical: 隹 (zhuī radical, meaning "short-tailed bird")
Stroke Count: 12
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jí
3. Meaning
to gather, to collect, to assemble, set, collection
4. Common Words
- 集合 (jí hé) - to gather, to assemble
- 集中 (jí zhōng) - to concentrate, to focus
- 收集 (shōu jí) - to collect
- 集会 (jí huì) - meeting, gathering
- 集团 (jí tuán) - group, corporation
- 集体 (jí tǐ) - collective, group
5. Grammar & Usage
1. Used as a verb meaning "to gather" or "to collect"
2. Can be used as a noun meaning "collection" or "set"
3. Often forms compound words related to gathering or collecting
6. Cultural Background
The character 集 originally depicted birds gathering on a tree, which is reflected in its composition of 隹 (bird) and 木 (tree). This imagery has expanded to represent gathering or collecting in general.
7. Example Sentence
我们需要收集更多的资料。
Pronunciation: Wǒ men xū yào shōu jí gèng duō de zī liào.
Translation: We need to collect more information.
8. Memory Tips
To remember 集, think of its composition: 隹 (bird) on top of 木 (tree). Imagine birds gathering on a tree branch. This visual helps recall the meaning of "to gather" or "to collect."