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钻研 (zuān yán) — to study meticulously, to delve into

Definition

钻研 emphasizes deep, painstaking study of a single topic — more focused and effort-intensive than the broader 研究. Use it for serious scholarly or technical deep-dives, not general inquiry.

verb
to study meticulouslyto delve into

Examples

  • 钻研。
    Tā huā le shí nián zuān yán gǔ dài wén xiàn.
    He spent ten years delving into ancient texts.
  • 钻研。
    Kē xué jiā men zhèng zài zuān yán zhè ge nán tí.
    The scientists are studying this difficult problem meticulously.
  • 钻研。
    Duì jī chǔ lǐ lùn de zuān yán shì chuàng xīn de qián tí.
    Meticulous study of fundamental theories is a prerequisite for innovation.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

钻zuàndrill into
研yángrind over

钻 means drilling into, 研 means grinding over; together they picture meticulous study.

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 鑽; 钻 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
釒Written in full as金jīn
Sound part声符shēngfú
贊
贊zàn鑽zuàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 鑽 pairs 釒 (metal) with 贊, which gives the sound; the simplified 钻 is a later shorthand.

Open 钻 →

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
石石shí
Sound part声符shēngfú
幵
幵jiān研yán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 研, the left part 石 is a stone-related component, and the right part 幵 gives the sound.

Open 研 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6School & Education

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