Translation guide
The English verb "collect" has several distinct meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical uses and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
To accumulate items of a particular type for enjoyment or study.
Transitive verb meaning to gather or collect things. Use this when you actively collect items.
彼は切手を集めている。
He collects stamps.
私は古いコインを集めるのが趣味です。
Collecting old coins is my hobby.
A more formal term for collecting, often used for systematic or scholarly collections.
彼は美術品を収集している。
He collects works of art.
To bring together things that are spread out, often for a practical purpose.
Transitive verb for gathering things or people. Use when you bring items together.
落ち葉を集めて袋に入れた。
I collected the fallen leaves and put them in a bag.
アンケートを集めています。
We are collecting questionnaires.
Means to pick up or gather items from the ground. Use for collecting scattered objects by hand.
Means to recover or retrieve items, often in an official or systematic way (e.g., recycling, debts).
古紙を回収する日は水曜日です。
The day for collecting waste paper is Wednesday.
To gradually gather or build up something, often intangible.
Means to accumulate or build up over time, used for knowledge, data, wealth, etc.
経験を蓄積することが大切だ。
It is important to accumulate experience.
Transitive verb for accumulating or saving up, often used for money, points, or even stress.
ポイントを溜めて景品と交換した。
I collected points and exchanged them for a prize.
ストレスを溜めないようにしてください。
Try not to let stress build up.
To go and get someone or something from a place.
Means to go to pick up a person. Use for meeting someone at a station, airport, etc.
駅まで迎えに行きます。
I'll come to collect you at the station.
Means to take custody of something or someone, often used for picking up items from a shop or a child from school.
修理した時計を引き取りに行った。
I went to collect the repaired watch.
Means to receive or collect something that has been sent or left for you, like a package.
To gather money from people for a purpose.
General term for collecting money or funds.
募金を集めています。
We are collecting donations.
Formal term for collecting taxes, fees, or dues.
会費を徴収する。
To collect membership fees.
To bring oneself under control after being upset or scattered.
Means to calm oneself down. Often used when you need to collect your thoughts or emotions.
少し時間をください。気持ちを落ち着けたいんです。
Give me a moment. I need to collect myself.
Literally 'to organize one's thoughts', used when you need to collect your ideas before speaking or writing.
まず考えをまとめてから話してください。
Please collect your thoughts before speaking.
The children collected seashells.
Literally 'to pile up', used metaphorically for accumulating efforts or achievements.
努力を積み重ねて成功した。
He succeeded by accumulating efforts.
郵便局で小包を受け取った。
I collected the parcel at the post office.