物探 (wù tàn) — geophysical prospecting (surveying subsurface structures using physical methods)

Definition

Short for 地球物理勘探 (geophysical prospecting): using physical methods like seismic, magnetic, or electrical surveys to map subsurface structures for oil, gas, or mineral exploration.

noun
geophysical prospecting (surveying subsurface structures using physical methods)

Examples

  • 物探。
    Zhè ge tuán duì yòng wù tàn jì shù zhǎo dào le xīn de yóu tián.
    This team used geophysical prospecting technology to find a new oil field.
  • 物探。
    wù tàn Shù jù duì kuàng chǎn kān tàn fēi cháng zhòng yào.
    Geophysical prospecting data is very important for mineral exploration.
  • 物探。
    Tā dà xué xué de shì wù tàn zhuān yè.
    He studied geophysical prospecting as his major in university.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

物wùphysics
探tànprospecting

Physics and prospecting combine to mean surveying by physical methods.

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
牛牛niú
Sound part声符shēngfú
勿
勿wù物wù
Same sound today

物 puts 牛 beside 勿: 牛 gives the meaning, and 勿 gives the sound.

Open 物 →

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.

Open 探 →

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