What does 集 mean in Japanese?
集 means to gather, collect, or assemble. Its two core kun’yomi verbs form one of the most important transitivity pairs at N4: 集まる (atsumaru, intransitive — things or people gather on their own) and 集める (atsumeru, transitive — someone gathers or collects things). 人が集まる (people gather) versus 人を集める (to gather people) is the kind of contrast that JLPT loves to test.
The on’yomi シュウ produces a cluster of high-frequency compounds: 集合 (shuugou, assembling/meeting up), 集中 (shuuchuu, concentration), 募集 (boshuu, recruitment), and 特集 (tokushuu, a special feature). The kanji shows a bird 隹 over a tree 木 — an image of birds gathering on a branch.
Reading
On’yomi: シュウ (shuu)
Kun’yomi: あつ-まる (atsu-maru), あつ-める (atsu-meru), つど-う (tsudo-u)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 集 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | gather, collect, assemble |
| Stroke Count | 12 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
How to Understand This Kanji
集まる (atsumaru) is intransitive — people or things come together on their own: 駅前に人が集まる (people gather in front of the station). 集める (atsumeru) is transitive — someone actively collects or gathers: 切手を集める (collect stamps), 情報を集める (gather information). 集合 (shuugou) means assembling at a set time and place: 集合時間 (meeting time), 集合場所 (meeting point). 集中 (shuuchuu) is concentration or focusing — 集中する (to concentrate), 集中力 (powers of concentration). 募集 (boshuu) is a call for applicants or participants: アルバイト募集 (part-time staff wanted), 参加者を募集する (to recruit participants).
Common Words
- 集まる（あつまる / atsumaru） — to gather, to come together (intransitive)
- 集める（あつめる / atsumeru） — to collect, to gather (transitive)
- 集合（しゅうごう / shuugou） — assembly, meeting up at a set place/time
- 集中（しゅうちゅう / shuuchuu） — concentration, focus
- 募集（ぼしゅう / boshuu） — recruitment, call for applicants
- 特集（とくしゅう / tokushuu） — special feature (magazine/TV)
Example Sentences
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公園に子供たちが集まりました。
こうえんにこどもたちがあつまりました。 / Kouen ni kodomotachi ga atsumarimashita.
The children gathered in the park.
-
私は古い切手を集めるのが趣味です。
わたしはふるいきってをあつめるのがしゅみです。 / Watashi wa furui kitte o atsumeru no ga shumi desu.
My hobby is collecting old stamps.
-
試験中はもっと集中してください。
しけんちゅうはもっとしゅうちゅうしてください。 / Shiken chuu wa motto shuuchuu shite kudasai.
Please concentrate more during the exam.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
The 集まる / 集める transitivity pair is the single most important point for this kanji. 集まる (intransitive) has no actor doing the gathering — the subject comes together by itself: 人が集まる (people gather), お金が集まる (money accumulates). 集める (transitive) has someone doing the gathering, marked with を: 人を集める (gather people together), お金を集める (collect money), 切手を集める (collect stamps as a hobby). Mixing up が and を here is a very common mistake, so practise the pair side by side.
集中 (shuuchuu) is essential study and work vocabulary. 集中する (to concentrate, to focus), 集中力 (powers of concentration), 集中できない (can’t focus). 仕事に集中する (concentrate on work), 勉強に集中する (focus on studying). The pattern 〜に集中する marks what you are focusing on.
集合 (shuugou) is about meeting up at an agreed time and place, and it appears constantly in school trips, tours, and group activities. 集合時間は9時です (the meeting time is 9 o’clock), 駅に集合してください (please assemble at the station). Compare with 集まる: 集まる describes the general act of gathering, while 集合する specifically implies a pre-arranged rendezvous.
募集 (boshuu) means putting out a call for people — applicants, members, participants, or staff. アルバイト募集中 (now hiring part-time staff), メンバーを募集する (recruit members), 募集要項 (application guidelines). It is the word you see on job ads, club posters, and event sign-up notices.
Summary
集 means to gather, collect, or assemble. The core learning point is the transitivity pair 集まる (intransitive) versus 集める (transitive). The on’yomi シュウ drives high-frequency compounds: 集中 (concentration), 集合 (meeting up), and 募集 (recruitment).