Definition
挖掘 (wā jué) is a formal, often written verb meaning 'to excavate, dig up, or unearth' — it's broader than 挖 (wā, everyday 'dig') and more literal than 发掘 (fā jué, which also has a figurative sense of 'tap into potential'). Use 挖掘 for physical digging (tunnels, mines) and for abstract unearthing (truth, data).
verb
to excavateto digto unearth
Examples
- 挖掘。Gōngrénmen zhèngzài wā jué yì tiáo suìdào.The workers are excavating a tunnel.
- 挖掘。Tāmen cóng kuàngshān zhōng wā jué le dàliàng kuàngshí.They excavated a large amount of ore from the mine.
- 挖掘。Jìzhě tōngguò diàochá wā jué chū le shìshí zhēnxiàng.The journalist unearthed the truth through investigation.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.