classifier for sections of a TV series etc: episode
HSK 5, q, 12 strokes, radical 隹, rank #731, Hard
集
jí
to gather, to collect; set, collection
HSK 5, q, 12 strokes, radical 隹, rank #731, Hard
jí(ji2)ji T2
1to gather
2to collect
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March 24, 2026
集jí(ji2)
The character 集 (jí) primarily means 'to gather' or 'to collect.' It is commonly used to refer to collections of works, such as literary compilations or series of episodes in television. This character conveys the idea of assembling items or ideas together, emphasizing the act of bringing things into a single unit.
Strokes12Radical隹Frequency#731DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of gathering is significant during festivals and family reunions, where people come together to share food and stories, reflecting the importance of community and connection.
Memory Tip
Imagine a group of friends 'gathering' (集) in a circle to share stories. The character looks like a roof (亠) over a gathering (集) of people (木), symbolizing a collection of stories being told together. The 'jí' sound can remind you of a joyful gathering.
Meanings of 集
jí(ji2)
1to gather
2to collect
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 集
集Simplified
12Strokes
隹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#731Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 集
Podcast: 集
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AI Study Notes for 集
Quick Contrast
汇 (huì) - use 集 (jí) when emphasizing the act of gathering items together, while 汇 (huì) focuses more on the idea of converging or merging.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 集 with similar characters like 聚 (jù), which also means to gather but often implies a more social gathering. This character is versatile and used in both formal and informal contexts, typically when discussing collections or series. Common collocations include 集合 (jíhé, to assemble) and 集体 (jítǐ, collective).
HSK Study Tips
Although 集 is not categorized within the HSK levels, it connects well with other words related to gathering and collecting, such as 收集 (shōují, to collect) and 组合 (zǔhé, to combine). Focus on its usage in context to understand its applications better.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 集 (jí) with 聚 (jù), leading to incorrect usage in contexts; for example, saying 集会 (jìhuì) instead of 聚会 (jùhuì) for 'gathering' can lead to misunderstandings. Remember, 集 is typically used for collections, while 聚 is more social.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 集
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The character 集 (jí) primarily means 'to gather' or 'to collect.' It is commonly used to refer to collections of works, such as literary compilations or series of episodes in television. This character conveys the idea of assembling items or ideas together, emphasizing the act of bringing things into a single unit.
When to use 集
Be careful not to confuse 集 with similar characters like 聚 (jù), which also means to gather but often implies a more social gathering. This character is versatile and used in both formal and informal contexts, typically when discussing collections or series. Common collocations include 集合 (jíhé, to assemble) and 集体 (jítǐ, collective).
集 or something close to it
汇 (huì) - use 集 (jí) when emphasizing the act of gathering items together, while 汇 (huì) focuses more on the idea of converging or merging.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 集 (jí) with 聚 (jù), leading to incorrect usage in contexts; for example, saying 集会 (jìhuì) instead of 聚会 (jùhuì) for 'gathering' can lead to misunderstandings. Remember, 集 is typically used for collections, while 聚 is more social.
Write 集
集
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Grammar Patterns of 集
集 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 5 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.
The fighting has been centred around the town of Vucovar.
7
土地开发主要集中在城市及周边地区。
tǔ dì kāi fā zhǔ yào jí zhōng zài chéng shì jí zhōu biān dì qū。
Most development has been concentrated in and around cities.
8
绿色和平组织设法聚集起足够数量的小船在海上拦截该船。
lǜ sè hé píng zǔ zhī shè fǎ jù jí qǐ zú gòu shù liáng de xiǎo chuán zài hǎi shàng lán jié gāi chuán。
Greenpeace managed to assemble enough boats to waylay the ship at sea.
9
我们听到上面没完没了地讲要在员工中培养一种集体归属感。
wǒ mén tīng dào shàng miàn méi wán méi le dì jiǎng yào zài yuán gōng zhōng péi yǎng yī zhǒng jí tǐ guī shǔ gǎn。
We hear endless injunctions to build a sense of community among staff.
10
今天他得以将主题全部集中在经济方面。
jīn tiān tā dé yǐ jiāng zhǔ tí quán bù jí zhōng zài jīng jì fāng miàn。
Today he was able to focus his message exclusively on the economy.
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Word Family of 集
Compounds5
潗
磼
穕
襍
鏶
Words Containing This Character20
集jíto gather
集中jízhōngto concentrate
集团jítuángroup集團
收集shōujíto gather
集体jítǐa group集體
聚集jùjíto assemble
集合jíhéto gather
召集zhàojíto convene
集会jíhuìto gather集會
采集cǎijíto gather採集
搜集sōujíto gather
募集to raise
征集zhēngjíto collect徵集
筹集chóujíto collect money籌集
集装箱jízhuāngxiāngcontainer (for shipping)集裝箱
密集mìjíconcentrated
集成integrated (as in integrated circuit)
集训training集訓
集中营concentration camp集中營
集结jíjiéto assemble集結
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 集
What does 集中 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 集
集 (jí) typically refers to gathering or collecting things together, while 收 (shōu) means to receive or to take in. For example, you would use 集 when talking about collecting items or episodes, whereas 收 is more about receiving or accepting something.
In Chinese literature, 集 (jí) often refers to a collection of works by an author, such as poetry or essays. For instance, a book titled '诗集' (shī jí) means 'poetry collection.' This usage highlights the character's meaning of gathering creative works into one volume.
集 (jí) means 'to gather' or 'to collect' in Chinese. It can also refer to collected works or serve as a classifier for sections of a TV series, such as episodes. This character is commonly used in various contexts, including literature and media.
You can use 集 (jí) in a sentence like '我在图书馆里集书' (Wǒ zài túshūguǎn lǐ jí shū), which means 'I am gathering books in the library.' It can also be used to refer to a collection of episodes, such as '这部剧有五集' (Zhè bù jù yǒu wǔ jí), meaning 'This show has five episodes.'
Some common phrases include 集合 (jíhé, to assemble) and 集体 (jítǐ, collective), which are frequently used in both academic and social settings.
No, 集 can also refer to ideas or works, such as a collection of essays or episodes in a series.
The pronunciation is 'jí,' with a rising tone, similar to how you might say 'gee' in English but with a higher intonation.
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