Definitions

(verb) to gather; to collect
(noun) collected works
(noun) episode

Etymology

Depicts birds () gathering together on top of a tree ().

About

The character 集, with its structure combining 隹 (bird) and 木 (tree), etymologically stems from the visual concept of birds alighting upon a branch, conveying a sense of congregation. This foundational imagery directly informed its early meaning of gathering or assembling, which gradually expanded from describing physical collections of creatures or objects to more abstract notions of compilation, such as in literary works or curated selections. Its semantic range widened to include derived concepts like market gatherings or complete sets, yet the core idea of convergence remains inherent in its modern usage.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们在公园合。

Wǒmen zài gōngyuán jíhé.

We gather at the park.

我喜欢收邮票。

Wǒ xǐhuān shōují yóupiào.

I like collecting stamps.

学校中了很多学生。

Xuéxiào jízhōngle hěn duō xuéshēng.

The school has gathered many students.

这个市非常热闹。

Zhège jíshì fēicháng rènao.

This market is very lively.

他专注于收数据。

Tā zhuānzhù yú shōují shùjù.

He focuses on collecting data.

我们需要中精力学习。

Wǒmen xūyào jízhōng jīnglì xuéxí.

We need to concentrate on studying.

这本书是短篇小说

Zhè běn shū shì duǎnpiān xiǎoshuō jí.

This book is a collection of short stories.

他们计划成这些系统。

Tāmen jìhuà jíchéng zhèxiē xìtǒng.

They plan to integrate these systems.