<p>收 is an active action; 受 is a passive action.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-17T05:05:22.943Z
Good one. Example: 我来收尸了 vs 我来受死了
Wang Dingwei
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-16T12:23:16.000Z
2014-12-16T12:23:16.000Z
escargot
<p>In addition to answers above, here is a tip if you don’t feel uncomfortable with homosexuality. In informal language 受 can be used as a noun meaning "bottom" in gay terms, as opposed to 攻("top"). </p>

<p>So you can see that 受 is passive compared to 收, e.g., 受到攻击->be under attack, 受伤->be injured, 受挫->suffer a setback, 受骗->be deceived, 收获->harvest, 收养->adopt, 收购->purchase, 收银员->cashier (customers would be delighted if the cashier didn't ask them for money^_^). The two characters can be even combined to one word 收受 implying the subject is active and/or passive during the process (收受贿赂->demand, receive or agree to accept bribes).</p>

<p>I hope this will help and please forgive me for any mistakes in English.</p>

<hr>

<p>Added at the request of Mr. Ho (14/12/20):</p>

<p>The usage of 攻/受 is borrowed from Japanese ACG(Anime, Comics &amp; Games), where it's known as 攻め/受け or seme/uke (not sure the spelling is correct because I don’t know Japanese). Here are some explanations from Wikipedia:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>MPAA &amp; 广电总局 WARNING:</p>
  
  <p>The web pages have been rated <strong>Not-safe-for-work-and-do-Not-view-it-in-the-presence-of-your-children</strong> for nudity and sexuality.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Seme and uke in Yaoi: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaoi#Top_and_bottom_or_seme_and_uke" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaoi#Top_and_bottom_or_seme_and_uke</a></p>

<p>Slang in Chinese gay culture:
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_in_China#Slang_in_contemporary_Chinese_gay_culture" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_in_China#Slang_in_contemporary_Chinese_gay_culture</a></p>

<p>A related widely used slang word 基友 (literally gay-friend) is worth mentioning. It denotes a close male friend of a guy regardless of his (or his friend's) sexual orientation, for example, 我要去参加一个基友的婚礼->I’m going to attend a good friend’s (the groom) wedding. However, some “genuine” gay men may consider the word offensive.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-18T16:03:49.090Z
Do you have a citation for the top/bottom comment?
March Ho
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-20T07:11:18.083Z
Hi @MarchHo, I have updated my answer. Sorry to keep you waiting.
guest
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-17T17:49:14.320Z
2014-12-20T07:01:14.143Z
2014-12-20T07:01:14.143Z
guest
<p>I think the difference between 收 and 受 is easier to see with examples.
In any case, it would be a mistake (and confusing) to consider them as the direct equivalent of the English "to receive".</p>

<p><strong>受 seems to be used for immaterial things</strong> (such as feelings, influence, etc.) Its passive connotation really depends on the context or other words in the sentence/expression.</p>

<p>ex:</p>

<ul>
<li>他很受欢迎。 - He is very popular.</li>
<li>他受到你的影响。- He is influenced by you. (which can be good or bad).</li>
</ul>

<p>Even when the character 受 is used in words, it is for abstract things: 感受 (a feeling)</p>

<p><strong>收 seems to be used for material things</strong> (a letter, a document, a SMS). </p>

<p>ex:</p>

<ul>
<li>我收到你的短信。 - I received your SMS.</li>
<li>别忘记收垃圾。- Don't forget to collect the trash.</li>
</ul>

<p>Same things here, when 收 is used in words, it describes material things: 收音机 - Radio (set). Literally <em>the device receiving sounds</em>.</p>

<p>Of course their might be other differences and details, but I think this is the big picture.</p>

<p>I hope this answer your question. I wish you pleasure and success in your studies!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-27T02:47:03.357Z
2016-03-27T02:47:03.357Z
TimAstier
<p>收 is collecting, 受 is receiving</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-30T19:27:42.617Z
Hi Luke, thank you for your contribution! It would be better if you add more information with reference :D
George
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-29T10:40:41.687Z
2016-03-29T10:40:41.687Z
Luke Shi
<p><a href="https://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/dictionary?p=%E6%94%B6" rel="nofollow">收</a>:
1. to accept; to receive
2. to gather; to collect
3. to put away
4. to retrieve; to get back
5. to conclude; to finish</p>

<p><a href="https://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/dictionary?p=%E5%8F%97" rel="nofollow">受</a>:
1. to receive; to accept 
2. an indicator for the passive voice
3. to bear; to endure
4. to be subjected to</p>

<p>From the above, this confirms that to 受 is a passive action. </p>

<p>To PJ Hades' example above, I would add to it with additional takes on the translation, that:
他接受了这份礼物。  --> He accepted the gift. He's taking it! It belongs to him now!</p>

<p>他接收了这份礼物。  --> He received the gift. As in, he physically collected or was handed the gift from someone else.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-31T18:09:09.800Z
2016-03-31T20:14:22.370Z
2016-03-31T20:14:22.370Z
judester
<p>收 ： Accept， ask for 
受： be given</p>

<p>This shop accepts cash only.
This award is given to the hero.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-16T12:03:09.493Z
You are talking about 授 not 受
Wang Dingwei
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-16T10:14:36.410Z
2014-12-16T10:14:36.410Z
sotondolphin
<p>You may see the definitions of these two characters on zdic.net (maybe you already know), an online dictionary which is convenient for looking up the characters.</p>

<p>As a native speaker, I think (subjectively) the main difference of these two characters is that 收 emphasizes the action of receiving, gathering or reducing, and 受 emphasizes the finish of receiving an action, which is something sort of similar to the perfect tense.</p>

<p>I guess that your doubt comes from distinguishing 接收 from 接受? In some sentenses these two words are almost the same, for example:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>他接受了这份礼物。<br>
  他接收了这份礼物。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>But I still feel that there is a tiny differece as I said above, 接收 puts more significance on the action of receiving.</p>

<p>Another differece may be that, 收 is usually used with "concrete" things like gift, data, signal, while 受 is usually used with abstract things like suggestion, training, offer, and only some "concrete" things.</p>

<p>Hope it helps.</p>

<p><strong>Reference</strong></p>

<p>收 on zdic.net
www.zdic.net/z/1a/js/6536.htm</p>

<p>受 on zdic.net
www.zdic.net/z/16/js/53D7.htm</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-16T16:43:35.107Z
2014-12-16T18:43:49.550Z
2014-12-16T18:43:49.550Z
pjhades
<p>I've noticed a lot of people have trouble differentiating between 收 and 受.</p>

<p>Both their pronunciations and meanings are <em>similar</em>.</p>

<p>How to differentiate between the two?</p>

<p>What tricks and tips are there to remember when to use which? (Instead of the other.)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-16T06:31:35.617Z
googled ＂ 受 收 ＂ ？This will bring up ２ websites discussing the issue， a ３rd requires registration。
user6065
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-16T19:01:49.827Z
Receive vs. accept?
NS.X.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-16T22:51:20.760Z
My opinion is that 受 is used to describe a less specific situation, e.g. 受北方冷空气影响, while for 收, you can always picture as someone accepting things with their own hands.
Joseph S WU
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-05-21T13:24:34.157Z
A broad generalization, in my view, to distinguish the two is -- 收 involves a physical act of receiving, while 受 is more a mental decision of acceptance.
Wayne Cheah
<usage>
Differentiating between 收 and 受
# Differentiating between 收 and 受

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-12-16)

I've noticed a lot of people have trouble differentiating between 收 and 受.

Both their pronunciations and meanings are *similar*.

How to differentiate between the two?

What tricks and tips are there to remember when to use which? (Instead of the other.)

**Tags:** usage
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: googled ＂ 受 收 ＂ ？This will bring up ２ websites discussing the issue， a ３rd requires registration。  
> **username_2**: Receive vs. accept?  
> **username_3**: My opinion is that 受 is used to describe a less specific situation, e.g. 受北方冷空气影响, while for 收, you can always picture as someone accepting things with their own hands.  
> **username_4**: A broad generalization, in my view, to distinguish the two is -- 收 involves a physical act of receiving, while 受 is more a mental decision of acceptance.  

---

## 7 answers

### Answer by username_14 on 2014-12-16. Score: 8 | Accepted answer

You may see the definitions of these two characters on zdic.net (maybe you already know), an online dictionary which is convenient for looking up the characters.

As a native speaker, I think (subjectively) the main difference of these two characters is that 收 emphasizes the action of receiving, gathering or reducing, and 受 emphasizes the finish of receiving an action, which is something sort of similar to the perfect tense.

I guess that your doubt comes from distinguishing 接收 from 接受? In some sentenses these two words are almost the same, for example:

> 他接受了这份礼物。  
> 他接收了这份礼物。

But I still feel that there is a tiny differece as I said above, 接收 puts more significance on the action of receiving.

Another differece may be that, 收 is usually used with "concrete" things like gift, data, signal, while 受 is usually used with abstract things like suggestion, training, offer, and only some "concrete" things.

Hope it helps.

**Reference**

收 on zdic.net
www.zdic.net/z/1a/js/6536.htm

受 on zdic.net
www.zdic.net/z/16/js/53D7.htm


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2014-12-16. Score: 6

收 is an active action; 受 is a passive action.

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: Good one. Example: 我来收尸了 vs 我来受死了  

---

### Answer by username_7 on 2014-12-17. Score: 5

In addition to answers above, here is a tip if you don’t feel uncomfortable with homosexuality. In informal language 受 can be used as a noun meaning "bottom" in gay terms, as opposed to 攻("top").

So you can see that 受 is passive compared to 收, e.g., 受到攻击->be under attack, 受伤->be injured, 受挫->suffer a setback, 受骗->be deceived, 收获->harvest, 收养->adopt, 收购->purchase, 收银员->cashier (customers would be delighted if the cashier didn't ask them for money^\_^). The two characters can be even combined to one word 收受 implying the subject is active and/or passive during the process (收受贿赂->demand, receive or agree to accept bribes).

I hope this will help and please forgive me for any mistakes in English.

---

Added at the request of Mr. Ho (14/12/20):

The usage of 攻/受 is borrowed from Japanese ACG(Anime, Comics & Games), where it's known as 攻め/受け or seme/uke (not sure the spelling is correct because I don’t know Japanese). Here are some explanations from Wikipedia:

> MPAA & 广电总局 WARNING:
>
> The web pages have been rated **Not-safe-for-work-and-do-Not-view-it-in-the-presence-of-your-children** for nudity and sexuality.

Seme and uke in Yaoi: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaoi#Top_and_bottom_or_seme_and_uke>

Slang in Chinese gay culture:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_in_China#Slang_in_contemporary_Chinese_gay_culture>

A related widely used slang word 基友 (literally gay-friend) is worth mentioning. It denotes a close male friend of a guy regardless of his (or his friend's) sexual orientation, for example, 我要去参加一个基友的婚礼->I’m going to attend a good friend’s (the groom) wedding. However, some “genuine” gay men may consider the word offensive.

> **Comments:**
> **username_8**: Do you have a citation for the top/bottom comment?  
> **username_7**: Hi @MarchHo, I have updated my answer. Sorry to keep you waiting.  

---

### Answer by username_9 on 2016-03-27. Score: 3

I think the difference between 收 and 受 is easier to see with examples.
In any case, it would be a mistake (and confusing) to consider them as the direct equivalent of the English "to receive".

**受 seems to be used for immaterial things** (such as feelings, influence, etc.) Its passive connotation really depends on the context or other words in the sentence/expression.

ex:

* 他很受欢迎。 - He is very popular.
* 他受到你的影响。- He is influenced by you. (which can be good or bad).

Even when the character 受 is used in words, it is for abstract things: 感受 (a feeling)

**收 seems to be used for material things** (a letter, a document, a SMS).

ex:

* 我收到你的短信。 - I received your SMS.
* 别忘记收垃圾。- Don't forget to collect the trash.

Same things here, when 收 is used in words, it describes material things: 收音机 - Radio (set). Literally *the device receiving sounds*.

Of course their might be other differences and details, but I think this is the big picture.

I hope this answer your question. I wish you pleasure and success in your studies!


---

### Answer by username_10 on 2016-03-29. Score: 0

收 is collecting, 受 is receiving

> **Comments:**
> **username_11**: Hi Luke, thank you for your contribution! It would be better if you add more information with reference :D  

---

### Answer by username_12 on 2016-03-31. Score: 0

[收](https://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/dictionary?p=%E6%94%B6):
1. to accept; to receive
2. to gather; to collect
3. to put away
4. to retrieve; to get back
5. to conclude; to finish

[受](https://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/dictionary?p=%E5%8F%97):
1. to receive; to accept
2. an indicator for the passive voice
3. to bear; to endure
4. to be subjected to

From the above, this confirms that to 受 is a passive action.

To PJ Hades' example above, I would add to it with additional takes on the translation, that:
他接受了这份礼物。 --> He accepted the gift. He's taking it! It belongs to him now!

他接收了这份礼物。 --> He received the gift. As in, he physically collected or was handed the gift from someone else.


---

### Answer by username_13 on 2014-12-16. Score: -2

收 ： Accept， ask for
受： be given

This shop accepts cash only.
This award is given to the hero.

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: You are talking about 授 not 受  

---

