Meaning of 征求
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to solicit
- to seek
- to request (opinions, feedback etc)
- to petition
How to use 征求
征求 is a fairly formal verb used when you actively ask people for their views, advice, or agreement. Its usual objects are 意见 (yìjiàn), 建议 (jiànyì), and 同意 (tóngyì). Example: 我们想征求一下大家的意见。(Wǒmen xiǎng zhēngqiú yíxià dàjiā de yìjiàn.) We would like to ask for everyone's opinions.
征 (zhēng) means to call for or gather, and 求 (qiú) means to ask or seek. Put them together and you are calling out to gather what you seek, like collecting opinions from many people.
Common mistake: Learners often use 征求 like 要求 (yāoqiú) or 请求 (qǐngqiú) to ask someone to do something, but 征求 is for seeking input such as opinions or consent, not for making demands. Also, 征 is first tone (zhēng), so do not confuse it with 正 (zhèng).
征求 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
征 zhēng · journey · 8 strokes
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求 qiú · to seek · 7 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 征求.
| 要求 | yāoqiú | to request; to require |
| 请求 | qǐngqiú | to request; to ask; request (CL:個|个[ge4]) |
| 需求 | xūqiú | requirement; to require |
| 追求 | zhuīqiú | to pursue (a goal etc) stubbornly; to seek after |
| 征服 | zhēngfú | to conquer; to subdue |
| 特征 | tèzhēng | characteristic; diagnostic property |
| 寻求 | xúnqiú | to seek; to look for |
| 象征 | xiàngzhēng | symbol; emblem; to symbolize; to signify; to represent |
| 求职 | qiúzhí | to seek employment |
| 求婚 | qiúhūn | to propose marriage |
| 求救 | qiújiù | to seek help (when in distress or having difficulties) |
| 恳求 | kěnqiú | to beg; to beseech |
Questions about 征求
What does 征求 mean?
征求 (zhēngqiú) means "to solicit; to seek" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 征求?
征求 is made of 2 characters: 征 (8 strokes), 求 (7 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 征求 an HSK word?
Yes. 征求 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 征求 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 征求 is written 徵求.
What is the difference between 征求 and 追求?
征求 means to seek input from others, such as opinions or permission. 追求 (zhuīqiú) means to pursue a goal, an ideal, or even a romantic partner over time.
Can 征求 be used in job or recruitment contexts?
Yes, in written notices you may see phrases like 征求合作伙伴 (seeking partners) or 征求稿件 (calling for submissions). In everyday speech, though, it most often appears with 意见 or 同意.