A person or device that gathers, accumulates, or specializes in acquiring specific items.
Person who gathers items
EN: a person who collects things as a hobby or for study
翻譯: 將物品作為嗜好或研究而收集的人
Device or person that gathers
EN: a device or person that gathers things from various places
翻譯: 從不同地方收集物品的裝置或人員
Official who collects payments
EN: an official whose job is to collect money owed, such as taxes or debts
翻譯: 負責收取欠款（如稅款、債務）的官員
小提醒：Remember that 'collector' can refer to both a person with a hobby (like a stamp collector) and an official role (like a tax collector). The context determines the meaning.
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Collector" from YouTube Videos
Sheikha Al Mayassa: Globalizing the local, localizing the global
TED
“Why else do Greeks demand the return of the Elgin Marbles And why is there an uproar when a private collector tries to sell his collection to a foreign museum?”
1. a person who collects things as a hobby or for study
收藏家；收集者
He is an avid stamp collector and has albums from all over the world.
他是一位熱衷的郵票收藏家，擁有來自世界各地的郵票冊。
The museum curator consulted a private art collector about the painting.
博物館館長就這幅畫向一位私人藝術收藏家請教。
2. a person whose job is to collect money, tickets, or goods
收費員；收票員；收貨員
The ticket collector checked our passes before we boarded the train.
在我們上火車前，收票員檢查了我們的車票。
A debt collector called regarding the overdue payment.
一位討債員來電詢問逾期款項的事宜。
3. a device or part of a machine that collects something
收集器；集塵器；集電器
The vacuum cleaner's dust collector was full and needed emptying.
吸塵器的集塵盒滿了，需要清空。
Solar panels use a current collector to transfer the generated electricity.
太陽能板使用集電器來傳輸產生的電力。
4. an official who is responsible for collecting taxes in a particular area
稅務官；稅捐稽徵員
The tax collector visited the small business to ensure all dues were paid.
稅務官造訪了這家小企業，以確保所有稅款都已繳清。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a collector of + [plural noun] | ...的收藏家 | He is a collector of rare stamps. (他是一位稀有郵票的收藏家。) |
| a collector of + [uncountable noun] | ...的收藏家 | She is a collector of fine art. (她是一位美術品的收藏家。) |
| a + [adjective] + collector | 一位...的收藏家 | He is an avid collector of vintage cars. (他是一位熱衷於收藏古董車的收藏家。) |
| collector's item | 收藏家的珍品 | This limited edition watch is a true collector's item. (這款限量版手錶是真正的收藏家珍品。) |
collector of stamps 是「郵票收藏家」，而 collector for a museum 是「為博物館徵集藏品的人」。
EN: He is an avid collector of vintage vinyl records.
翻譯: 他是一位熱衷於收藏黑膠唱片的收藏家。EN:She works as a collector for the national art gallery, acquiring contemporary pieces.
翻譯:她在國家美術館擔任藏品徵集員，負責收購當代藝術作品。
描述收藏家時，使用 collector of 來指明收藏品；僅在特指其服務的機構或目的時，才使用 collector for。
collector vs collection
「collector」指的是收集物品的人，而「collection」指的是被收集的物品本身或收集的行為。
collector vs gatherer
「collector」通常指有系統、有特定目的的收藏者；「gatherer」則泛指採集或聚集物品的人，較無系統性。
collector vs hoarder
「collector」是有組織、有選擇性的收藏；「hoarder」則是無區別地囤積物品，可能帶有負面意涵。
在口語中，當引述或轉述他人對某人的稱呼或描述時，常會直接使用 "collector" 這個詞。 EN: He's what you'd call a serious stamp collector. 翻譯: 他就是那種你所說的，認真的郵票收藏家。
EN:My friend is a bit of a collector, always buying vintage toys.
翻譯:我朋友有點像個收藏家，老是買復古玩具。
在非正式對話中，有時會在 "collector" 前加上形容詞或使用特定語調，來強調其狂熱或專業程度，帶有輕鬆或幽默的意味。 EN: Oh, he's not just a fan, he's a super collector. 翻譯: 喔，他不只是粉絲，他是個超級收藏家。
EN:She's turned into a full-on art collector lately.
翻譯:她最近簡直變成了一個徹頭徹尾的藝術品收藏家。
在思考或組織語句時，可能會用 "a collector of..." 或 "like a collector" 這樣的結構作為暫時的填充，引出後面的具體內容。 EN: His hobby is, you know, a collector of... rare coins and stuff. 翻譯: 他的嗜好是，你知道的，就是個收藏...稀有錢幣之類東西的人。
EN:The house felt like a museum, like a collector lived there.
翻譯:那房子感覺像博物館，好像住著個收藏家似的。
正式書寫注意：在學術、商業或正式報告中，應避免上述口語化的引述、強調語氣或填充式用法。建議使用更精確、客觀的表述，例如 "an avid collector"、"a professional collector" 或直接說明其收藏的具體類別（如 "a numismatist"）。
art collector
noun + collector
藝術品收藏家
stamp collector
noun + collector
郵票收藏家
debt collector
noun + collector
討債人；債務催收員
collector's item
collector's + noun
收藏家的珍品；值得收藏的物品
tax collector
noun + collector
稅務員；收稅官
avid collector
adjective + collector
熱衷的收藏家
dust collector
noun + collector
積灰塵的東西（指很少使用或純粹擺設的物品）
×He is a stamp collect.
✓He is a stamp collector.
The word 'collect' is a verb. The correct noun form for a person who collects something is 'collector'.
×She works as a ticket collector in the museum.
✓She works as a ticket collector at the museum.
When referring to a person's place of work, we typically use 'at' for institutions like museums, not 'in' in this context.
×He is a collector of rare books.
✓He is a collector of rare books.
This sentence is grammatically correct. The common mistake is using 'collector' for non-tangible items. 'Collector' typically refers to someone who gathers physical objects. For data or information, words like 'researcher' or 'analyst' are more appropriate.
×The garbage collector comes on Tuesdays.
✓The garbage collector comes on Tuesdays.
This sentence is correct. The mistake learners often make is using the plural 'collectors' when referring to the general role or service. Use the singular form for the general concept.
×He is a great collector.
✓He is a serious collector. / He has an extensive collection.
Using 'great' to describe a collector is vague. More precise adjectives like 'serious', 'avid', 'passionate', or describing the size/quality of their 'collection' is better.