TongTong
Sign in

研究 (yán jiū) — to research; to study

Definition

研究 means 'to research / study' a topic in depth over time, producing findings (e.g. 研究问题, 研究了三年). Lighter than 钻研, which is studying something meticulously. Broader than 调研, which focuses on field investigation and surveys.

verb
to researchto study
Measure word · 项

Examples

  • 研究。
    Tā zhèng zài yán jiū zhè ge zhòng yào wèn tí.
    He is currently researching this important issue.
  • 研究，。
    Tā men yán jiū le sān nián, zhōng yú yǒu le jié guǒ.
    They researched for three years and finally got results.
  • 研究。
    Wǒ men hái yào jì xù yán jiū xià qù.
    We still need to continue researching.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

研yánstudy; research
究jiūinvestigate; examine

“研究” joins “研” (study) and “究” (investigate), meaning to look into something.

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
石石shí
Sound part声符shēngfú
幵
幵jiān研yán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 研, the left part 石 is a stone-related component, and the right part 幵 gives the sound.

Open 研 →

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
穴穴xuécave
Sound part声符shēngfú
九
九jiǔ究jiū
Same sound today

究 pairs 穴, a cave, with 九, which gives the sound.

Open 究 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 41000 Most Frequent Chinese WordsScience (General)2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.