鉴 (jiàn) — to examine, inspect, or appraise (especially with expertise); to take as a lesson or warning; (formal) to peruse (a letter or document)
Definition
Formal verb for expert appraisal or careful review — of objects (鉴宝), historical lessons (鉴古知今), or formal correspondence. Almost always written; rarely used in casual speech.
verb
to examineinspector appraise (especially with expertise)to take as a lesson or warning(formal) to peruse (a letter or document)
Examples
- 鉴，。Zhuān jiā zhèng zài jiàn bǎo, kàn kàn zhè jiàn cí qì shì bu shì zhēn de.The experts are appraising the treasure to see if this piece of porcelain is authentic.
- 鉴，。Wǒ men yīng dāng jiàn gǔ zhī jīn, cóng lì shǐ zhōng xué xí.We should examine the past to understand the present, learning from history.
- 鉴，。Qǐng jiàn xìn hán nèi róng, bìng yǔ yǐ huí fù.Please peruse the contents of the letter and provide a reply.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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 鑑; 鉴 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
監
監jiān鑑jiàn
Same sound today
The traditional form 鑑 pairs 金, showing metal, with 監 for sound; the simplified 鉴 is a later abbreviation, not the source of this shape.
Appears in
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