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收买 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
收买shōumǎito purchaseHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #6612, Very Hard
收买shōumǎito bribeHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #6612, Very Hard
shōumǎi(shou1mai3)shou mai T1
  1. 1to purchase
  2. 2to bribe
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March 24, 2026

收买(收買)shōumǎi(shou1mai3)

收买 (shōumǎi) primarily means 'to purchase' or 'to buy back,' but it also carries the connotation of 'to bribe' someone, often implying a morally questionable action. This term is frequently used in contexts involving corruption or unethical transactions in both personal and political spheres.

Strokes12Frequency#6612DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese society, the concept of 收买 is particularly relevant due to historical instances of corruption and bribery in politics and business, reflecting concerns about moral integrity and societal trust.

Memory tip

Imagine a shady businessman holding a bag of money (收) while trying to buy (买) someone's loyalty. The action of 'buying' their support represents both the literal and figurative meanings of the word.

Meanings of 收买

shōumǎi(shou1mai3)
1to purchase
2to bribe
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About 收买

收买Simplified
收買Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 收买

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AI study notes for 收买

Quick Contrast

贿赂 (huìlù) - use 收买 (shōumǎi) when emphasizing the act of purchasing or bribing, while 贿赂 (huìlù) specifically refers to the act of bribery itself.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 收买, as it often implies a negative connotation, especially in formal contexts. It's commonly associated with illegal or unethical activities, so use it carefully to avoid misunderstandings. A common collocation is 收买人心 (shōumǎi rénxīn), meaning to win people's hearts through bribery.

HSK Study Tips

While 收买 may not be an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to themes of commerce and ethical discussions present in higher-level contexts. Students should also familiarize themselves with related terms like 贿赂 (huìlù, bribery) to understand its broader implications.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 收买 with just 买, using it in neutral contexts, such as 'I want to buy a book' (我想收买一本书). The correct phrase would be '我想买一本书.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 收买

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Component characters

收shōuto receive
HSK 36 strokes攵
View full entry
买mǎito buy
HSK 16 strokes大
View full entry

How to say to purchase in Chinese

“to purchase” in Chinese is收买shōumǎi

收买 (shōumǎi) primarily means 'to purchase' or 'to buy back,' but it also carries the connotation of 'to bribe' someone, often implying a morally questionable action. This term is frequently used in contexts involving corruption or unethical transactions in both personal and political spheres.

When to use 收买

Be cautious when using 收买, as it often implies a negative connotation, especially in formal contexts. It's commonly associated with illegal or unethical activities, so use it carefully to avoid misunderstandings. A common collocation is 收买人心 (shōumǎi rénxīn), meaning to win people's hearts through bribery.

收买 or something close to it

贿赂 (huìlù) - use 收买 (shōumǎi) when emphasizing the act of purchasing or bribing, while 贿赂 (huìlù) specifically refers to the act of bribery itself.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 收买 with just 买, using it in neutral contexts, such as 'I want to buy a book' (我想收买一本书). The correct phrase would be '我想买一本书.'

Write 收买

收
买

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Cultural Notes for 收买

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While bribery exists in many cultures, in Western contexts, it is often discussed in terms of legality and ethics more explicitly, whereas in China, it may be more subtly woven into social norms and expectations.

Frequently asked questions about 收买

Yes, 收买 generally has a negative connotation, especially when referring to bribery or unethical purchases.

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