How to say "collect" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- ichidan verb, transitive verbCollecting in the sense of bringing scattered things together into one organized whole: you consolidate scattered material, information, or opinions rather than simply amassing them.
- 集めるあつめるichidan verb, transitive verbThe word for actively gathering or collecting things: you bring items, or people, from various places together into one place, as when collecting data or gathering materials.
- godan verb, intransitive verbThings collect or pile up by themselves: dust, work, or money accumulates over time with no one deliberately gathering it, so it is not for actively collecting; usually written in kana alone.
- 揃えるそろえるichidan verb, transitive verbCollecting with the goal of a complete set: you get together every item needed so the set or collection is complete and nothing is missing, rather than simply amassing things.
- 集まるあつまるgodan verb, intransitive verbPeople or things come together on their own: a crowd gathers or people assemble at a place, without someone collecting them; it is the intransitive counterpart of 集める.私達は先生の前に集まった。↗We gathered around the teacher.
Use 「集める」 to gather things deliberately, 「集まる」 for people or things coming together, 「たまる」 for things piling up by themselves, 「まとめる」 for consolidating scattered material into one whole, and 「揃える」 for completing a set.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- まとめるto collect
- 集めるあつめるto collect
- たまるto collect
- 揃えるそろえるto collect
- 集まるあつまるto gather
- 取りまとめるとりまとめるto collect
- 取り立てるとりたてるto collect (debts)
- 引き取るひきとるto take into one's possession
- コレクトcollect
- 書き集めるかきあつめるto collect (writings)
- 徴するちょうするto collect
- 整理がつくせいりがつくto collect (e.g. one's thoughts)
- 寄せ集めるよせあつめるto put together
- 奮い起こすふるいおこすto muster (e.g. courage)
- 取り集めるとりあつめるto gather
- 拾い集めるひろいあつめるto gather
- 寄せるよせるto bring near
- 固めるかためるto put together
- 取り上げるとりあげるto collect (taxes)
See also
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