Usage of 捡 (jiǎn)
The verb 捡 means "to pick up" something from the ground or floor, usually with the hand. It is commonly used when referring to picking up objects that have been dropped or found on the street, floor, or other surfaces.
Common contexts
捡 is often used in everyday situations such as picking up trash, lost items, or natural objects like shells or stones. It implies a physical action of bending down or reaching to take something up.
Collocations and patterns
- 捡东西 (jiǎn dōng xi): to pick up things
- 捡垃圾 (jiǎn lā jī): to pick up trash
- 捡到 (jiǎn dào): to find and pick up (often implying finding something valuable or lost)
Notes
捡 is a straightforward verb and does not carry metaphorical meanings like "to choose" or "to select." It is different from 拾 (shí), which can also mean "to pick up" but is more formal or literary. 捡 is more common in spoken and informal contexts.