HSK · Level 21
135 words
Chinese word
探
Pronunciation
Pinyintàn
Meaning
- verbfeel around
Example
他用手探了墙后的空隙。tā yòng shǒu tàn le qiáng hòu de kòng xì
He felt around in the gap behind the wall with his hand.
More examples
科学家在实验中不断探索新的现象。kē xué jiā zài shí yàn zhōng bú duàn tàn suǒ xīn de xiàn xiàng
Scientists continually explore new phenomena in experiments.
Core concept
A probing reach tests what is hidden, whether the target is a physical space or another person's unspoken attitude.
Common phrases
探索真相tàn suǒ zhēn xiàng
explore the truth
探讨问题tàn tǎo wèn tí
discuss an issue
探测信号tàn cè xìn hào
detect signals
Similar words
找zhǎo: Look for a person or thing in order to find it.
搜sōu: Search a wide area carefully and completely for something.
试探shì tàn: Use words or actions to quietly test someone's reaction or true intention.
摸mō: Touch with the hand or fingers to check a shape or position.
Definition in Chinese
用手触摸或通过观察、试探来确认物体的情况或了解对方的态度、意图；既可指实际用手摸索，也可指间接地探听和判断。yòng shǒu chù mō huò tōng guò guān chá shì tàn lái què rèn wù tǐ de qíng kuàng huò liáo jiě duì fāng de tài dù yì tú jì kě zhǐ shí jì yòng shǒu mō suǒ yě kě zhǐ jiàn jiē dì tàn tīng hé pàn duàn
Word origin
In 探 (tàn, "probe"), 扌 (shǒu, "hand") marks a hand action and 罙 (shēn, "deep") supplies the sound; the original idea of reaching for something distant broadened into probing situations and people.
Usage tips
- In everyday Chinese, this verb often describes learning about a situation, reaction, or intention indirectly rather than simply looking for a lost object.