HSK · Level 68
75 words
Chinese word
收养
Pronunciation
Pinyinshōu yǎng
Meaning
- verbadopt
Example
她把那只流浪狗收养了。tā bǎ nà zhǐ liú làng gǒu shōu yǎng le
She adopted that stray dog.
More examples
法院批准了他们的收养申请。fǎ yuàn pī zhǔn le tā men de shōu yǎng shēn qǐng
The court approved their adoption application.
Core concept
Taking in a child or animal begins an ongoing duty to protect, support, and raise it.
Common phrases
申请收养shēn qǐng shōu yǎng
apply for adoption
获得收养资格huò dé shōu yǎng zī gé
gain eligibility to adopt
Similar words
领养líng yǎng: Accepting a child or animal as part of the family and taking responsibility for raising it.
抚养fú yǎng: Caring for a child, meeting daily needs, and guiding its behavior as it grows.
养育yǎng yù: Raising a child and supporting healthy physical and emotional growth.
Definition in Chinese
把流浪或被遗弃的动物或需要照顾的人接回并长期抚养，侧重于从无到有地承担照顾责任。bǎ liú làng huò bèi yí qì de dòng wù huò xū yào zhào gù de rén jiē huí bìng cháng qī fú yǎng cè zhòng yú cóng wú dào yǒu dì chéng dān zhào gù zé rèn
Word origin
The compound 收 (shōu, "receive") + 养 (yǎng, "raise") pictures receiving a dependent being and then providing the long-term care needed to grow.
Usage tips
- In English, foster often suggests temporary care, whereas 收养 (shōuyǎng, "adopt") can describe taking in a child or animal with a lasting commitment.