吸取
xī qǔ HSK 5

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

我们应该吸取这次的经验。
Wǒmen yīnggāi xīqǔ zhè cì de jīngyàn.
We should learn from this experience.
植物从土壤里吸取水分。
Zhíwù cóng tǔrǎng lǐ xīqǔ shuǐfèn.
Plants absorb water from the soil.
他吸取了失败的教训。
Tā xīqǔ le shībài de jiàoxùn.
He learned from the failure.
植物吸取水分。
Zhíwù xīqǔ shuǐfèn.
Plants absorb water.
我们要吸取教训。
Wǒmen yào xīqǔ jiàoxun.
We must learn from lessons.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 吸 (xī) as 'to suck in' (like a straw) and 取 (qǔ) as 'to take'—combined, they mean 'to suck in and take' something useful, like drawing a lesson from an event. Imagine sipping knowledge from a cup of experience!

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and used in both spoken and written Chinese. It is common in contexts like learning from experiences (e.g., failures, successes), gaining insights, or adopting useful elements from other sources, such as cultures or methods.

📖 Grammar Points

It is often used in the pattern: 从 + [source] + 中 + 吸取 + [object], as in '从经验中吸取智慧' (draw wisdom from experience). The object is usually an abstract noun like 教训 (lesson) or 经验 (experience).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 吸取 reflects a value placed on learning from past experiences, whether personal or historical, to foster growth and avoid repeating errors. It is often encouraged in educational and professional settings as a way to show humility and wisdom.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 学习 (xuéxí, 'to study/learn'), which is broader and often involves active study, 吸取 focuses more on absorbing or extracting specific useful elements. Unlike 吸收 (xīshōu, 'to absorb'), which can be physical (e.g., absorbing water) or abstract, 吸取 is typically used for abstract, positive gains like lessons or insights.

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