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没收 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
没收mòshōuto confiscateHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #5365, Very Hard
没收mòshōuto seizeHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #5365, Very Hard
mòshōu(mo4shou1)mo shou T4
  1. 1to confiscate
  2. 2to seize
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March 24, 2026

没收(沒收)mòshōu(mo4shou1)

The term '没收' (mo4 shou1) refers to the act of confiscating or seizing something, often by an authority. It is commonly used in legal or administrative contexts, such as when the government confiscates illegal items or property. The nuance suggests an involuntary loss of possession due to rules or regulations.

Strokes13Frequency#5365DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In China, confiscation often relates to government actions against illegal activities, such as drug trafficking or unlicensed vendors. This reflects the government's strong regulatory approach to maintaining order and legality in society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'mo' (sounds like 'mow') that mows down your belongings, and 'shou' (sounds like 'show') that shows up with a badge to take them away. Visualize a garden being mowed over and the things being taken away by an official.

Meanings of 没收

mòshōu(mo4shou1)
1to confiscate
2to seize
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About 没收

没收Simplified
沒收Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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AI Study Notes for 没收

Quick Contrast

没收 (mòshōu) vs 扣押 (kòuyā) — use 没收 when referring to confiscation by authority, while 扣押 specifically refers to the detention or seizure of items as evidence in legal contexts.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing '没收' with '收回' (shou1 hui2), which means to reclaim something. '没收' is more formal and associated with legal contexts, while '收回' can be used informally. Be mindful of the tone; '没' (mei) is pronounced with a falling tone, while '收' (shou) has a rising tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although '没收' is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be useful for learners aiming for higher-level proficiency. Focus on understanding its usage in legal texts and practice using it in context with other related terms like '法律' (fa3 lu4, law) and '罚款' (fa2 kuan3, fine).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '没收' with '没问题' (mei2 wen4 ti2), which means 'no problem.' For example, saying '我没问题' (wo3 mei2 wen4 ti2) when you want to say something was confiscated is incorrect; use '我的东西被没收了' (wo3 de5 dong1 xi5 bei4 mo4 shou1 le5) instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 没收

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Component Characters

没méidrowned
HSK 17 strokes氵
View full entry
收shōuto receive
HSK 36 strokes攵
View full entry

How to say to confiscate in Chinese

“to confiscate” in Chinese is没收mòshōu

The term '没收' (mo4 shou1) refers to the act of confiscating or seizing something, often by an authority. It is commonly used in legal or administrative contexts, such as when the government confiscates illegal items or property. The nuance suggests an involuntary loss of possession due to rules or regulations.

When to use 没收

Common mistakes include confusing '没收' with '收回' (shou1 hui2), which means to reclaim something. '没收' is more formal and associated with legal contexts, while '收回' can be used informally. Be mindful of the tone; '没' (mei) is pronounced with a falling tone, while '收' (shou) has a rising tone.

没收 or something close to it

没收 (mòshōu) vs 扣押 (kòuyā) — use 没收 when referring to confiscation by authority, while 扣押 specifically refers to the detention or seizure of items as evidence in legal contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '没收' with '没问题' (mei2 wen4 ti2), which means 'no problem.' For example, saying '我没问题' (wo3 mei2 wen4 ti2) when you want to say something was confiscated is incorrect; use '我的东西被没收了' (wo3 de5 dong1 xi5 bei4 mo4 shou1 le5) instead.

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收

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Frequently Asked Questions about 没收

'没收' is more commonly used in formal or legal contexts rather than everyday conversations.

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