Definition
研 has two distinct verb senses: a physical one meaning 'to grind into powder' (as in 研墨 'grind ink' or 研药 'grind medicine') and an intellectual one meaning 'to research, to study in depth' (as in 研究 'research' or 研讨 'discuss'). The physical sense is more specific than the everyday word 磨 (mó), and the intellectual sense implies systematic investigation rather than casual learning. You'll mostly encounter 研 as the first character in compound verbs.
v.
to researchto study (in academic or professional contexts)to grindto pestle (into powder)
Examples
- 。Tā zhèngzài yán jiū zhège kètí.He is researching this topic.
- 研。Tā yán mò xiě zì.He grinds ink to write characters.
- 。Wǒmen měi zhōu yán tǎo yí cì.We hold a seminar once a week.
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