探索 (tàn suǒ) — to explore; to probe | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

探索 is the general verb for actively seeking out or probing the unknown (truth, space, mysteries). Unlike 探讨, it is not about discussing a topic — it is about inquiry and investigation.

verb

to exploreto probe

Examples

探索。
Rén lèi yì zhí zài tàn suǒ yǔ zhòu de ào mì.
Human beings have been exploring the mysteries of the universe.
探索。
Tā xǐ huan tàn suǒ wèi zhī de lǐng yù.
He likes to explore unknown fields.
探索。
Zhè ge wèn tí hái xū yào jìn yí bù tàn suǒ.
This problem still needs further exploration.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

探 means to probe and 索 means to search, so together they mean to explore.

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

扌Written in full as手shǒuhand

Sound part声符shēngfú

𥥍

𥥍𥥍探tàn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 探, the 扌 part is a hand, and 𥥍 gives the sound.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

糸糸mìthread
𣎳𣎳𣎳strip fibres off a hemp stalk

索 combines 糸 (thread) and 𣎳 (stripping fibres from a hemp stalk), showing threads or rope being pulled out from a fabric.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 6 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Science (General)

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