吸收
xī shōu HSK 5

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

公司今年吸收了很多新员工。
Gōngsī jīnnián xīshōu le hěn duō xīn yuángōng.
The company recruited many new employees this year.
海绵能吸收很多水。
Hǎimián néng xīshōu hěn duō shuǐ.
Sponges can absorb a lot of water.
身体需要吸收营养。
Shēntǐ xūyào xīshōu yíngyǎng.
The body needs to absorb nutrients.
植物吸收水分。
Zhíwù xīshōu shuǐfèn.
Plants absorb water.
海绵吸收液体。
Hǎimián xīshōu yètǐ.
Sponges absorb liquid.

💡 Memory Tip

Break down the characters: 吸 (xī) means 'to inhale' or 'suck in,' and 收 (shōu) means 'to collect' or 'receive.' Think of 'inhaling to collect' something, like breathing in air or soaking up knowledge.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese. It appears frequently in scientific contexts (e.g., biology, chemistry), environmental discussions, business (e.g., absorbing funds or talent), and education (e.g., absorbing knowledge).

📖 Grammar Points

Often used with objects directly (e.g., 吸收水分). Can be part of verb-complement structures like 吸收进去 (absorb in) or 吸收不了 (unable to absorb). Also used in passive constructions with 被 (e.g., 被植物吸收).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In modern Chinese contexts, 吸收 is frequently used in environmental and technological discussions, reflecting societal emphasis on sustainability and innovation, such as in phrases about absorbing pollution or advanced technology.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 吸取 (xīqǔ), which also means 'to absorb' but often implies drawing in abstract things like lessons or essence (e.g., 吸取教训). 吸收 is broader, covering both physical and abstract absorption, while 吸取 is more abstract and selective.

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