征收
zhēngshōu · HSK 7
levy
💰 征收 = 征 levy/conscript + 收 collect; the state summons and gathers (taxes)
Both characters point the same way: 征 carries the sense of summoning or levying, and 收 means to gather in or receive. Stacked together they name the formal act of a government imposing and collecting taxes or dues.
征 — 彳 (step) + 正 (upright/correct)
Originally written 征, this character combines 彳 'step/walk' with 正 'upright,' suggesting a righteous march or expedition. It first meant a military campaign or journey to subdue, then broadened to 'to go on a long trip' and figuratively 'to levy' (as in collecting taxes during campaigns).
收 — 丩 (jiū, cord/bind) + 攵 (rap/strike, action)
Originally written 收, this character combines 丩 'twisted cord' as the phonetic with 攵 'a hand holding a stick' as the semantic, depicting the action of binding up captives or gathering things together by force. The core sense 'to gather, collect, harvest' grew naturally from this image of rounding up and tying.