吸收 (xī shōu) is a verb meaning 'to absorb'—both physically and mentally. The first character 吸 means 'to inhale' or 'to suck in', evoking the idea of drawing something inward; the second character 收 means 'to receive' or 'to gather', reinforcing the sense of taking something in and retaining it. Together, they form a compound that emphasizes the complete process of intake and assimilation.

This word appears frequently in contexts involving biology (e.g., nutrient absorption in the digestive system), environmental science (e.g., plants absorbing sunlight or water), education (e.g., absorbing knowledge), and psychology (e.g., absorbing new cultural norms). It implies active, often gradual integration—not just passive contact. Unlike simpler verbs like 吃 (chī, 'to eat') or 看 (kàn, 'to look'), 吸收 carries a nuance of internalization and functional incorporation, making it common in formal, scientific, or academic registers.