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收藏 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
收藏shōucángto hoardHSK 6, v, 23 strokes, rank #4377, Hard
收藏shōucángto collectHSK 6, v, 23 strokes, rank #4377, Hard
收藏shōucángcollectionHSK 6, v, 23 strokes, rank #4377, Hard
收藏shōucángto bookmark (Internet)HSK 6, v, 23 strokes, rank #4377, Hard
shōucáng(shou1cang2)shou cang T1
  1. 1to hoard
  2. 2to collect
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March 24, 2026

收藏shōucáng(shou1cang2)

收藏 (shōucáng) means to collect or hoard items, often with a focus on preserving their value or significance. This term is commonly used in contexts relating to hobbies, art, or digital content, like bookmarks on the internet. It implies an appreciation for the items collected, whether they are physical objects or digital resources.

Strokes23Frequency#4377DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture,收藏 is closely linked to traditional practices like collecting antiques or calligraphy, which are seen as ways to preserve cultural heritage. Collecting is often associated with status and knowledge, making it a respected pursuit.

Memory tip

Imagine a collector with a 'shoebox' full of treasures, each representing a unique experience. The 'shou' sounds like 'shoe', which can hold valuable items (cang) inside, helping you remember to collect and cherish each one.

Meanings of 收藏

shōucáng(shou1cang2)
1to hoard
2to collect
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 收藏

收藏Simplified
23Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4377Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1

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Podcast: 收藏

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AI study notes for 收藏

Quick Contrast

珍藏 (zhēncáng) - use 收藏 (shōucáng) for general collection, while 珍藏 (zhēncáng) implies a more valuable or cherished collection.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 收藏 with the more general verb 收 (shōu), which means 'to receive' or 'to gather'. 收藏 is more specific and often used in formal contexts, such as art exhibitions or academic discussions. Common collocations include 收藏品 (shōucáng pǐn - collection items) and 收藏夹 (shōucáng jiá - bookmark).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 收藏 connects with many other advanced vocabulary related to appreciation and curation, such as 艺术 (yìshù - art) and 文化 (wénhuà - culture). Students at this level should focus on nuances in context and usage across different scenarios.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 收藏 with 收集, using them interchangeably in contexts where 收藏 is more appropriate, as in '我喜欢收藏邮票' (I like to collect stamps), which should be used instead of '我喜欢收集邮票'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 收藏

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Component characters

收shōuto receive
HSK 36 strokes攵
View full entry
藏cángTibet
HSK 517 strokes艹
View full entry

How to say to hoard in Chinese

“to hoard” in Chinese is收藏shōucáng

收藏 (shōucáng) means to collect or hoard items, often with a focus on preserving their value or significance. This term is commonly used in contexts relating to hobbies, art, or digital content, like bookmarks on the internet. It implies an appreciation for the items collected, whether they are physical objects or digital resources.

When to use 收藏

Be careful not to confuse 收藏 with the more general verb 收 (shōu), which means 'to receive' or 'to gather'. 收藏 is more specific and often used in formal contexts, such as art exhibitions or academic discussions. Common collocations include 收藏品 (shōucáng pǐn - collection items) and 收藏夹 (shōucáng jiá - bookmark).

收藏 or something close to it

珍藏 (zhēncáng) - use 收藏 (shōucáng) for general collection, while 珍藏 (zhēncáng) implies a more valuable or cherished collection.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 收藏 with 收集, using them interchangeably in contexts where 收藏 is more appropriate, as in '我喜欢收藏邮票' (I like to collect stamps), which should be used instead of '我喜欢收集邮票'.

Write 收藏

收
藏

Practice writing 收藏 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 收藏

收藏 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 4 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.

Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

她____了五枚硬币。

She collected five coins.

Example sentences for 收藏 (10)

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1
你可以将收藏的全部CD保存在电脑硬盘上。

nǐ kěyǐ jiāng shōucáng de quánbùCD bǎocún zài diànnǎo yìngpán shàng。

You can store your entire CD collection on the computer's hard drive.
2
你是不是收藏了大量的书籍、报纸和纪念品?

nǐ shìbùshì shōucáng le dàliàng de shūjí、 bàozhǐ hé jìniàn pǐn?

Do you keep many books and papers and memorabilia?
3
在过去的17年中,收藏的规模不断扩大。

zài guòqù de17 nián zhōng, shōucáng de guīmó búduàn kuòdà。

The collection has been built up over the last seventeen years.
4
这些垫子很多都保存了下来,非常有收藏价值。

zhèxiē diànzi hěn duō dōu bǎocún le xiàlái, fēicháng yǒu shōucáng jiàzhí。

Many of these cushions have survived and are very collectible.
5
收藏家们会花5万到100万美元去购入一份稀有标本。

shōucáng jiā men huì huā5 wàn dào100 wàn měiyuán qù gòu rù yī fèn xīyǒu biāoběn。

Collectors will pay $50,000 to $1 million for a rare specimen.
6
我从餐具柜里取出一瓶自己收藏的最好的麦芽威士忌。

wǒ cóng cān jù guì lǐ qǔ chū yī píng zìjǐ shōucáng de zuìhǎo de mài yá wēi shì jì。

I got a bottle of my best malt out of the sideboard.
7
简·波洛克古董店经营银器和小收藏品。

jiǎn· Bō luò kè gǔdǒng diàn jīngyíng yín qì hé xiǎo shōucáng pǐn。

Jane Pollock Antiques deals in silver and small collectables.
8
曼迪天生喜欢收集小玩意,只要是她看上的都会收藏起来。

màn dí tiānshēng xǐhuan shōují xiǎo wán yì, zhǐyào shì tā kàn shàng de dūhuì shōucáng qǐlái。

A born magpie, Mandy collects any object that catches her eye.
9
这些年来,罗伯特逐渐收藏了一批版画和绘画作品。

zhèxiē nián lái, luō bà tè zhújiàn shōucáng le yī pī bǎn huà hé huìhuà zuòpǐn。

Robert's collection of prints and paintings has been bought over the years.
10
1999年首届东宇美术馆收藏展(沈阳?东宇美术馆).

1999 nián shǒu jiè dōng yǔ měishùguǎn shōucáng Zhǎn( chén yáng? dōng yǔ měishùguǎn).

First Dongyu Art Museum Collection Show, Shenyang Dongyu Art Museum.

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Cultural Notes for 收藏

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While in Western cultures, collecting may often be seen as a hobby or pastime, in Chinese culture, it can also reflect one's social status and appreciation of history.

Frequently asked questions about 收藏

收藏 (shōucáng) implies a more curated collection often with value, while 收集 (shōují) simply means to gather or collect items, regardless of their significance.

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