Chinese word

勘探

Pronunciation

Pinyinkān tàn

Meaning

  • verbexplore

Example

公司在这个地区勘探石油。gōng sī zài zhè ge dì qū kān tàn shí yóu

The company is exploring for oil in this area.

Illustration for 勘探 (explore)

More examples

海洋研究团队在近海用地震和钻探手段勘探海底地热。hǎi yáng yán jiū tuán duì zài jìn hǎi yòng dì zhèn hé zuān tàn shǒu duàn kān tàn hái dǐ dì rè

The marine research team is exploring for geothermal energy beneath the seabed near the coast using seismic and drilling methods.

Core concept

Careful investigation of the earth to discover where useful natural resources are and whether they are present.

Common phrases

  • 开始勘探kāi shǐ kān tàn

    start exploring

  • 扩大勘探kuò dà kān tàn

    expand exploration

  • 勘探油气kān tàn yóu qì

    explore for oil and gas

Similar words

勘查kān chá: Examining and recording local geological or resource conditions to assess future development.
探测tàn cè: Measuring underground or internal properties with instruments or tests to detect what is present.

Definition in Chinese

为寻找地下或地表的矿产、石油、天然气等资源而进行的调查和勘察行动。wèi xún zhǎo dì xià huò dì biǎo de kuàng chǎn shí yóu tiān rán qì děng zī yuán ér jìn xíng de diào chá hé kān chá xíng dòng

Word origin

The compound 勘探 (kāntàn, "resource exploration") joins the ideas of examining and searching, so it names an investigation aimed at finding and locating resources.

Usage tips

  • English uses explore broadly, but this Chinese verb has a narrower professional range and commonly appears in company, geology, and energy contexts.

Other meanings

  • prospectverb
  • explorationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 勘探员kān tàn yuánprospectornoun
  • 勘探报告kān tàn bào gàoexploration reportnoun
  • 勘探设备kān tàn shè bèiexploration equipmentnoun

Word lists with this word