Meaning
收拾 means to organize, tidy, or pack things into proper order. It's commonly used when cleaning a room, packing luggage, or putting things away. The word combines 收 (to collect/gather) and 拾 (to pick up), literally meaning to gather and pick up items.
Usage
Native speakers use 收拾 in everyday contexts like cleaning rooms, packing bags, or organizing belongings. It's neutral in register and appropriate for both spoken and written language. Common patterns include 收拾房间 (tidy the room), 收拾东西 (pack things), and 收拾行李 (pack luggage). The tone on 拾 is often neutral (轻声) in speech.
Examples
- 01我需要收拾一下房间，太乱了。, .I need to tidy up the room, it's too messy.
- 02她正在收拾行李准备去旅行。.She's packing her luggage to prepare for the trip.
Characters
Common collocations
- 收拾房间to tidy up the room
- 收拾东西to pack things
- 收拾行李to pack luggage
- 收拾干净to tidy up completely
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines two characters both related to gathering: 收 (collect) and 拾 (pick up). Together they emphasize the action of gathering scattered items and putting them in order.