Common Meanings
1
cǎi采
To pick, gather, or pluck (e.g., flowers, fruit, tea leaves).
奶奶喜欢在春天采摘新鲜的茶叶。
Grandma likes to pick fresh tea leaves in spring.
To extract or mine (resources like coal, minerals, or ore).
这家公司主要从事采矿业。
This company is mainly engaged in the mining industry.
To pick, gather, collect; to adopt or accept (suggestions/ideas); to interview or report (news).
我们应该采纳他的建议。
We should adopt his suggestion.
Spirit; demeanor; vigor. Refers to a person's lively appearance or mental state, as in '神采' (spirit, radiance) or '精采' (splendor, brilliance).
她今天看起来神采奕奕，一定是遇到了什么好事。
She looks radiant and full of spirit today; something good must have happened to her.
When pronounced cǎi, '采' can be synonymous with '彩', meaning color, luster, or splendor, often referring to a radiant or vigorous appearance.
他的脸上神采奕奕。
His face glowed with a radiant expression.
Describing an abundant, flourishing, or numerous appearance (often used in the reduplicated form 采采).
田野里采采的鲜花，吸引了无数蝴蝶。
The abundant fresh flowers in the fields attracted countless butterflies.
In ancient times, this character referred to an official or officer, especially one managing local affairs.
古代的采，常常负责地方事务。
In ancient times, the 'cǎi' often managed local affairs.
2
cài采
An ancient fiefdom or feudal estate granted to high-ranking officials in ancient China.
在古代，卿大夫通常会分得一块采地，作为其收入来源。
In ancient times, high-ranking officials like qing and dafu were typically granted a fiefdom (cai di) as their source of income.