Learning how to say “pick up” in Chinese can greatly enhance your language skills and enable you to communicate effectively in various situations. Whether you are looking for formal or informal expressions, this guide will provide you with a wide range of options. Additionally, we’ll explore regional variations if necessary. Let’s dive in and discover how to say “pick up” in Chinese:
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Formal Ways to Say “Pick Up”
If you want to express the formal concept of “pick up” in Chinese, you can use the following phrases:
- 接 (jiē): This is the most versatile and commonly used term for “pick up” in a formal way. It can be used in many situations such as picking up objects, people, or even ideas. For example: “接电话” (jiē diànhuà) means “pick up the phone” and “接人” (jiē rén) means “pick up a person.”
- 领取 (lǐngqǔ): This phrase is often used when picking up documents, packages, or items such as tickets. For instance, “领取快递” (lǐngqǔ kuàidì) means “pick up a package.”
- 接收 (jiēshōu): When you want to convey the idea of “receiving” or “picking up” something in a formal context, this phrase is suitable. For example, “接收一封邮件” (jiēshōu yī fēng yóujiàn) means “pick up/receive an email.”
- 捡起 (jiǎnqǐ): This phrase specifically refers to picking up objects from the ground. For example, “捡起地上的钥匙” (jiǎnqǐ dìshàng de yàoshi) means “pick up the keys from the ground.”
- 取回 (qǔhuí): This phrase is used when retrieving or picking up something that was previously left somewhere. For example, “取回行李” (qǔhuí xínglǐ) means “pick up/retrieve luggage.”
Informal Ways to Say “Pick Up”
When it comes to informal situations, Chinese offers various colloquial phrases to express the idea of “pick up.” Here are some commonly used examples:
- 抱走 (bàozǒu): This phrase means to “carry away” or “grab and go,” often used humorously. For instance, “抱走一瓶酒” (bàozǒu yī píng jiǔ) means “pick up/carry away a bottle of wine.”
- 拿走 (názǒu): If you want to say “take away” or “pick up and go,” this phrase is commonly used. For example, “拿走我的书” (názǒu wǒ de shū) means “pick up/take my book.”
- 捡起来 (jiǎn qǐlai): This phrase is similar to “pick up” in English and can be used to indicate picking up objects from the ground. For instance, “捡起来掉落的文件” (jiǎn qǐlai diàoluò de wénjiàn) means “pick up the dropped files.”
- 收到 (shōudào): This phrase means to “receive” or “get” something informally. It can be used to express the idea of picking up an item or message. For example, “收到一封短信” (shōudào yī fēng duǎnxìn) means “pick up/receive a text message.”
- 抓起 (zhuā qǐ): This phrase is used to convey the action of “grabbing and picking up” something quickly. For example, “抓起地上的纸张” (zhuā qǐ dìshàng de zhǐzhāng) means “pick up the pieces of paper from the ground.”
Regional Variations
Chinese is a rich and diverse language, with some regional variations in vocabulary. Here’s a look at a few notable regional ways to say “pick up”:
Cantonese:
In Cantonese, “pick up” can be expressed as “領” (ling5) or “撿” (gim2). For example, “領貨” (ling5 fo3) means “pick up/deliver goods.”
Taiwanese Mandarin:
In Taiwanese Mandarin, the term “pick up” is often translated as “拎” (līm), which means “to lift” or “pick up.” For example, “拎起行李” (līm khí hêng-lí) means “pick up/lift luggage.”
Tips for Using “Pick Up” in Chinese
Here are some tips to help you correctly and confidently use the different phrases for “pick up” in Chinese:
- Context Matters: Always consider the context and the object being picked up to choose the most appropriate expression.
- Formality: Match the level of formality with the situation. Use formal expressions in professional settings and informal phrases in casual conversations.
- Tone: Pay attention to your tone. Chinese is a tonal language, so if you’re unsure, try to imitate native speakers by listening to recordings or seeking help from a language teacher.
- Practice: Regular practice is key to mastering any language. Incorporate these phrases into your daily life to improve your fluency.
Remember, learning a new language takes time and effort, so be patient and enjoy the process. With these phrases and tips, you now have a solid foundation to express the concept of “pick up” in Chinese, both formally and informally.
Happy learning!
