探察 (tàn chá) — to observe (closely, to detect something); to explore, to probe

Definition

A formal verb meaning to observe closely or probe in order to discover something hidden — combines 探 (probe/explore) with 察 (inspect), used in scientific, investigative, or written contexts rather than casual speech.

verb
to observe (closely, to detect something)to exploreto probe
Easily confused

Examples

  • 探察。
    Kē xué jiā zhèng zài tàn chá huǒ xīng de biǎo miàn.
    Scientists are exploring the surface of Mars.
  • 探察。
    Jǐng fāng zǐ xì tàn chá le fàn zuì xiàn chǎng.
    The police carefully observed the crime scene.
  • 探察。
    Tā qián rù hǎi dǐ tàn chá chén chuán de mì mì.
    He dived into the seabed to explore the secrets of the sunken ship.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

探tànprobe
察cháobserve

探 and 察 both involve probing and observing, giving a close look.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
𥥍
𥥍𥥍探tàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 探, the 扌 part is a hand, and 𥥍 gives the sound.

Open 探 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀miánroof
Sound part声符shēngfú
祭
祭jì察chá
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The shape 察 combines 宀, a roof, with 祭 as the sound part.

Open 察 →

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