Definition
采 (cǎi) is a versatile verb for picking (flowers, tea), collecting (data, samples), and selecting (personnel). Compared to siblings, it is broader than 摘 (zhāi) (only fruit/flowers), more formal than 选择/选/挑选 (for selecting), and the short form of 采集 (cǎi jí) (for collecting).
verb
to pickto pluck (flowers, fruit, tea)to collectto gather (samples, data, ore)to selectto choose (candidates, personnel)
Easily confused
- 踩cǎilook-aliketo step on; to tread on
- 才cáisound-alike(adverb, before quantity) only, merely
- 妥tuǒlook-alikesuitable; appropriate; adequate
- 才cáisound-aliketalent, ability
- 猜cāisound-aliketo guess
- 菜càisound-alikedish; vegetable; cuisine
- 裁cáisound-aliketo cut (fabric, paper, etc.)
Examples
- 采。Nóngmínmen zǎoshang wǔ diǎn jiù qù cǎi chá le.The farmers go to pick tea at five in the morning.
- 采。Yánjiū rényuán cóng hé lǐ cǎi le shuǐyàng.The researchers collected water samples from the river.
- 采。Tāmen cóng hòuxuǎnrén zhōng cǎi zé le sān wèi.They selected three people from the candidates.
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