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观察力 (guān chá lì) — power of observation; observational ability

Definition

The ability to notice and interpret fine details in people, situations, or data. A near-synonym of 洞察力, but 观察力 focuses on noticing details, while 洞察力 implies deeper insight into underlying causes.

noun
power of observationobservational ability

Examples

  • 观察力，。
    Tā de guān chá lì hěn qiáng, néng zhù yì dào bié rén hū lüè de xì jié.
    His observational ability is very strong; he can notice details that others overlook.
  • 观察力。
    Zuò kē xué shí yàn xū yào mǐn ruì de guān chá lì.
    Doing scientific experiments requires sharp observational skills.
  • 观察力。
    Huà huà néng tí gāo hái zi de guān chá lì.
    Drawing can improve a child's power of observation.

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.

观察observe
观guānobserve察cháexamine
联合Coordinate
力lìpower

观察 means to observe, and 力 means power, giving the ability to observe.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 觀; 观 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
見見jiànsee
Sound part声符shēngfú
雚
雚guàn觀guān
Same sound today

The traditional form 觀 uses 見 (see) for meaning and 雚 for sound.

Open 观 →

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
宀宀miánroof
Sound part声符shēngfú
祭
祭jì察chá
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The shape 察 combines 宀, a roof, with 祭 as the sound part.

Open 察 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

力 is drawn as either an arm bending out from the side of the body or a wooden plough.

Open 力 →
Appears in
Senses

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