Keywords: 收拾, shoushi, shōushi, Chinese for tidy up, Chinese for clean up, pack luggage in Chinese, meaning of shoushi, deal with someone Chinese, how to say pack in Chinese, Chinese verb for cleaning.
Summary: Discover the versatile Chinese verb 收拾 (shōushi), a must-know word for every learner. While its most common meaning is “to tidy up” or “to pack,” its usage extends into the fascinating and slightly intimidating realm of “dealing with” or “punishing” someone. This page will guide you through all the meanings of `shōushi`, from cleaning your room and packing your suitcase for a trip, to understanding the cultural nuances behind using it as a warning.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): shōushi
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 3
Concise Definition: To put in order, to tidy up; to pack; to punish or “deal with”.
In a Nutshell: `收拾` is an action word that revolves around the concept of restoring order. Think of it as taking something messy, chaotic, or problematic and making it neat, contained, or resolved. This can be as simple as cleaning a messy desk (`收拾桌子`), as practical as packing a suitcase (`收拾行李`), or as menacing as a parent warning a misbehaving child, “I'm going to sort you out!” (`看我怎么收拾你!`).
Character Breakdown
收 (shōu): This character means “to receive,” “to collect,” or “to gather.” Pictographically, it's often associated with the idea of a hand gathering or bringing things in.
拾 (shí): This character means “to pick up,” especially from the ground. The hand radical (扌) on the left clearly indicates an action done with the hands.
When you combine 收 (gather) and 拾 (pick up), you get a very literal and vivid image of the act of tidying. You are “gathering and picking up” scattered items to put them back in their proper place, creating the primary meaning of `收拾`.
Cultural Context and Significance
The act of `收拾` (tidying up) is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture, which often places a high value on order, cleanliness, and creating a harmonious living environment. A tidy space is seen as a reflection of a tidy mind and a well-run household.
Comparison with “To Deal With”: The most interesting cultural nuance of `收拾` is its use as a threat. In English, you might say “I'll sort you out,” or “You're gonna get it.” These are often direct and confrontational. The Chinese `收拾你` (shōushi nǐ) carries a similar meaning but can feel more calculated. It implies not just a quick punishment, but a thorough “sorting out” or “fixing” of a person who has caused trouble. It reflects a social dynamic where problems (even people-problems) are seen as things to be “put in order.” This can be used playfully between parents and children, but among adults, it carries a very real sense of warning.
Practical Usage in Modern China
1. To Tidy Up / To Clean Up (Most Common): This is the everyday, neutral meaning. It's used for rooms, desks, houses, etc.
“I need to tidy up my room.” - 我要收拾房间。 (Wǒ yào shōushi fángjiān.)
2. To Pack: This is specifically used for packing things into a container, most commonly luggage or a bag.
“Have you packed your luggage?” - 你收拾好行李了吗？ (Nǐ shōushi hǎo xínglǐ le ma?)
3. To Deal With / Punish / “Fix” Someone (Informal & Threatening): This usage is highly contextual and depends entirely on the tone of voice. It's a common phrase in family discipline and can also be a serious threat.
“If you do that again, see how I'll deal with you!” - 你再这样，看我怎么收拾你！ (Nǐ zài zhèyàng, kàn wǒ zěnme shōushi nǐ!)
4. To Prepare / Get Ready: This can refer to tidying oneself up (getting dressed, doing hair) or preparing something, like gutting and cleaning a fish for cooking.
“He's in the kitchen preparing the fish.” - 他在厨房收拾鱼呢。(Tā zài chúfáng shōushi yú ne.)
Example Sentences
Example 1: (Tidying up a room)
我得收拾一下我的房间，太乱了。
Pinyin: Wǒ děi shōushi yīxià wǒ de fángjiān, tài luàn le.
English: I have to tidy up my room a bit, it's too messy.
Analysis: This is the most common and neutral use of `收拾`. The phrase `一下 (yīxià)` softens the verb, making it sound more casual.
Example 2: (Packing luggage)
出门前，别忘了收拾行李。
Pinyin: Chūmén qián, bié wàngle shōushi xínglǐ.
English: Before you leave, don't forget to pack your luggage.
Analysis: Here, `收拾` is paired with `行李 (xínglǐ)`, meaning luggage. This combination specifically means “to pack luggage.”
English: We need to figure out a way to clean up this mess.
Analysis: Here, `收拾` is used metaphorically. `烂摊子 (làntānzi)` means a “terrible mess” or “a disaster.” `收拾` means to resolve the situation.
Example 5: (Tidying up oneself)
他花了一个小时收拾自己，才出门约会。
Pinyin: Tā huāle yīgè xiǎoshí shōushi zìjǐ, cái chūmén yuēhuì.
English: He spent an hour getting himself ready before going out for his date.
Analysis: `收拾自己 (shōushi zìjǐ)` means to “tidy oneself up”—showering, getting dressed, doing hair/makeup. It implies making oneself presentable.
Example 6: (A direct command to clean)
快把你的玩具收拾起来！
Pinyin: Kuài bǎ nǐ de wánjù shōushi qǐlái!
English: Hurry up and put your toys away!
Analysis: The structure `把…收拾起来 (bǎ…shōushi qǐlái)` is very common. `起来 (qǐlái)` adds a sense of completion, meaning to gather them up and put them away.
Example 7: (Preparing food)
她正在厨房收拾鱼。
Pinyin: Tā zhèngzài chúfáng shōushi yú.
English: She's in the kitchen preparing the fish.
Analysis: In a cooking context, `收拾` means to clean, gut, and prepare an ingredient, usually fish or poultry.
English: The boss said he's going to “take care of” the person who leaked the company's secrets.
Analysis: In a serious context, `收拾` can be a euphemism for taking revenge or severe action against someone. The meaning is intentionally vague but ominous.
Example 9: (Asking for help)
你能帮我收拾一下桌子吗？
Pinyin: Nǐ néng bāng wǒ shōushi yīxià zhuōzi ma?
English: Can you help me clear the table?
Analysis: A polite, everyday request. `收拾桌子 (shōushi zhuōzi)` means to clear the dishes and wipe the table.
Example 10: (Describing the result)
房间被他收拾得很整洁。
Pinyin: Fángjiān bèi tā shōushi dé hěn zhěngjié.
English: The room was tidied up very neatly by him.
Analysis: This sentence uses the passive voice with `被 (bèi)` to show the result of the action. `整洁 (zhěngjié)` is the adjective for “neat and tidy.”
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`收拾 (shōushi)` vs. `整理 (zhěnglǐ)`: This is a common point of confusion.
`收拾` is about cleaning up a physical mess and restoring general tidiness. Think “put things away.”
`整理 (zhěnglǐ)` is more about systematic organization. You `整理` files, data, or your thoughts. You can `整理` a bookshelf by putting books in a specific order (e.g., by author), whereas you `收拾` a bookshelf by just putting the fallen books back on it.
False Friend: “To Deal With”: While `收拾` can be translated as “to deal with,” do not use it as a neutral equivalent. In English, “I will deal with this task” is a normal, professional statement. In Chinese, you should use `处理 (chǔlǐ)` for that.
Incorrect Usage: `这个任务很简单，让我来收拾吧。` (This task is simple, let me “deal with” it.)
Why it's wrong: This sounds aggressive and strange, as if you see the task as an enemy to be punished.
Don't Underestimate the Threat: Never use the “punish” meaning of `收拾` unless you intend to make a threat or are joking with someone you know very well (like a child). Using it with a stranger or acquaintance would be extremely aggressive.
Related Terms and Concepts
整理 (zhěnglǐ) - A close synonym, but means “to organize” or “to sort” in a more systematic way (e.g., files, data).
打扫 (dǎsǎo) - To sweep, to clean. Focuses more on removing dust and dirt via actions like sweeping or mopping.
处理 (chǔlǐ) - To handle, to process. The neutral, formal way to say “deal with” a problem, task, or situation.
修理 (xiūlǐ) - To repair (an object). Informally, can also mean “to teach someone a lesson,” similar to `收拾`.
整洁 (zhěngjié) - Adjective: Tidy, neat, clean. This is often the goal or result of the action `收拾`.
干净 (gānjìng) - Adjective: Clean. Often used with `收拾`, as in `收拾干净` (to tidy up until it's clean).
行李 (xínglǐ) - Luggage, baggage. The most common noun used with `收拾` in the context of packing.
安排 (ānpái) - To arrange, to plan. Used for arranging schedules or events, not physical objects.