探针 (tàn zhēn) — probe (medical or scientific instrument used fo…

Definition

noun

probe (medical or scientific instrument used for exploration)

Measure word · 根

探针。
Yī shēng yòng tàn zhēn jiǎn chá shāng kǒu nèi bù.
The doctor used a probe to examine the inside of the wound.
探针，。
Zhè zhǒng tàn zhēn fēi cháng xì, kě yǐ jìn rù xuè guǎn.
This type of probe is very thin and can enter blood vessels.
探针。
Shēng wù shí yàn shì lǐ cháng yòng tàn zhēn cǎi jí yàng běn.
In a biology lab, probes are often used to collect samples.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

探 gives exploring and 针 is a needle, so the word names a needle-like probing instrument.

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.

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 針; 针 is its simplified writing.

釒十針

Meaning part形符xíngfú

釒Written in full as金jīnmetal

Sound part声符shēngfú

十

十shí針zhēn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 針 puts 釒, the metal side, beside 十, which gives the sound; 针 is a simplified shorthand.

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