溯源 (sù yuán) — to investigate the origin of something; to trace (a river) upstream to its source
Definition
Literary verb meaning 'to trace back to the origin or source' — used for both ideas (cultural roots, historical origins) and rivers. Implies a deliberate scholarly or investigative effort, stronger than the everyday 查 chá.
verb
to investigate the origin of somethingto trace (a river) upstream to its source
Examples
- 溯源。Wǒ men xū yào sù yuán zhè ge wèn tí de gēn yuán.We need to trace the root of this problem.
- 溯源，。Kē xué jiā yán hé sù yuán, zhǎo dào le yuán tóu.The scientists traced the river upstream and found the source.
- 溯源。Zhè běn shū sù yuán le zhōng guó gǔ dài wén huà de qǐ yuán.This book traces the origin of ancient Chinese culture.
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