Definition
凑 (còu) has three main senses: 'gather/pool' (often for resources or people in a casual way), 'move close to' (as in physically approaching), and 'happen by chance' (used in 凑巧). Compare with 聚 (jù, HSK4) which means 'gather together' but more for people assembling, and 靠拢 (kào lǒng, HSK7) which means 'draw closer' in a more formal sense. For the coincidence sense, 巧合 (qiǎo hé, HSK7) is an adjective/noun 'coincidental', while 凑 is a verb.
verb
to gather togetherto pool (money, resources)to move close toto approachto happen by chanceto coincide
Easily confused
- 揍zòulook-aliketo beat up, to hit (colloquial)
Examples
- 凑。Dàjiā còu zài yīqǐ tǎolùn wèntí.Everyone gathered together to discuss the problem.
- 凑。Tā còu dào qiánmiàn qù kàn qīngchu.He moved closer to the front to see clearly.
- 。Wǒmen còuqiǎo zài jīchǎng yùjiàn le.We happened to meet at the airport.
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