Meanings of 捡
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About 捡
Podcast: 捡
Podcast: 捡
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AI Study Notes for 捡
捡 (pick up) vs 拾 (pick up, collect) — use 捡 for items that are often discarded or found on the ground, while 拾 is more formal and can imply a more careful or deliberate collection.
'捡' is often used in informal contexts, such as when discussing picking up litter or finding lost items. Common collocations include '捡东西' (pick up things) and '捡钱' (pick up money). Be cautious of using it in formal situations where more sophisticated verbs may be preferred.
As an HSK Level 5 word, '捡' connects with other verbs related to action and collection, such as '拿' (to take) and '收' (to collect). Students should focus on understanding its usage in different contexts and practice forming sentences that involve gathering or picking up objects.
Learners often confuse '捡' with '拿' (to take), using '拿' when they mean to pick something up from the ground. For example, saying '我拿了那个球' ('I took that ball') instead of '我捡了那个球' ('I picked up that ball') is incorrect when referring to something on the ground.
Pronunciation of 捡
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Etymology of 捡
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 佥 represents the sound. Simplified form of 撿.
hand
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 捡
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 佥 represents the sound. Simplified form of 撿.
- 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half佥 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayhand
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 捡? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 捡
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How to say to pick up in Chinese
“to pick up” in Chinese is捡
The verb '捡' (jiǎn) means to pick up or collect something that is on the ground or has been discarded. It is commonly used in contexts such as picking up trash, gathering items, or collecting objects, often implying a sense of salvaging or gathering things of value from the environment.
When to use 捡
'捡' is often used in informal contexts, such as when discussing picking up litter or finding lost items. Common collocations include '捡东西' (pick up things) and '捡钱' (pick up money). Be cautious of using it in formal situations where more sophisticated verbs may be preferred.
捡 or something close to it
捡 (pick up) vs 拾 (pick up, collect) — use 捡 for items that are often discarded or found on the ground, while 拾 is more formal and can imply a more careful or deliberate collection.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse '捡' with '拿' (to take), using '拿' when they mean to pick something up from the ground. For example, saying '我拿了那个球' ('I took that ball') instead of '我捡了那个球' ('I picked up that ball') is incorrect when referring to something on the ground.
Write 捡
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Practice writing 捡 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 捡
捡 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他____起一支铅笔，无所事事地摆弄着。
He picked up a pencil and toyed with it idly.
Common Confusions with 捡
Same pronunciation but different meanings.
Similar pronunciation and meaning related to examination.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to pick up"?
Example Sentences for 捡 (10)
Word Family of 捡
Compound Meaning
What does 捡 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 捡
Yes, you can use '捡' to refer to picking up food items, such as when collecting fruits from the ground.
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