勘查 (kān chá) — to survey, to investigate, to prospect (geology, crime scene, etc.)

Definition

Formal 'to survey / investigate' a site (geological, archaeological, or crime scene). Often interchangeable with 勘察; 勘查 emphasizes systematic survey for assessment or evidence.

to surveyto investigateto prospect (geology, crime scene, etc.)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 勘查。
    Jǐng chá zhèng zài kān chá xiàn chǎng.
    The police are surveying the scene.
  • 勘查。
    Dì zhì duì duì zhè piàn qū yù jìn xíng le quán miàn kān chá.
    The geological team conducted a comprehensive survey of this area.
  • 勘查。
    Tā men yòng yí qì kān chá dì xià zī yuán.
    They use instruments to survey underground resources.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

勘kānexamine
查cháinvestigate

勘 means examine, and 查 means investigate.

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
力力lìstrong
Sound part声符shēngfú
甚
甚shèn勘kān
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

勘 pairs 力 (strong) with 甚 (shèn) for sound; it means to look at carefully, strongly.

Open 勘 →

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
木木mùwood
Sound part声符shēngfú
且
且qiě查chá
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

查 pairs 木 (wood) with 且, which shows the sound. It originally meant a hawthorn tree or a wooden raft.

Open 查 →
Appears in
Science (General)

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