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观测 (guān cè) — to observe (scientifically, with instruments); to survey; to measure (for mapping or scientific research)

Definition

观测 (guāncè) means to observe and measure scientifically with instruments (weather, satellites, geology). Unlike the general 观察, it implies systematic measurement; 测量 focuses only on the measuring side.

verb
to observe (scientifically, with instruments)to surveyto measure (for mapping or scientific research)

Examples

  • 观测。
    Qì xiàng zhàn měi tiān guān cè qì wēn hé shī dù.
    The weather station observes temperature and humidity every day.
  • 观测。
    Tā men yòng wèi xīng guān cè dì qiú biǎo miàn de biàn huà.
    They use satellites to observe changes on the Earth's surface.
  • 观测。
    Dì zhì duì zhèng zài duì zhè yí dì qū jìn xíng shí dì guān cè.
    The geological team is conducting a field survey of this area.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

观guānobserve
测cèmeasure

观 means observe and 测 means measure, so together they describe careful scientific observation.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 觀; 观 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
見見jiànsee
Sound part声符shēngfú
雚
雚guàn觀guān
Same sound today

The traditional form 觀 uses 見 (see) for meaning and 雚 for sound.

Open 观 →

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 測; 测 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
則
則zé測cè
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 測 combines 氵 (water) with 則 for the sound; it is explained as measuring the depth of water. The simplified 测 is a later shorthand.

Open 测 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Science (General)

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.