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探索 (tàn suǒ) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 6

探索 (tàn suǒ) is a Chinese word: to explore. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 探索

动 dòng verb

to explore

科学家们正在探索宇宙的奥秘。

kē xué jiā men zhèng zài tàn suǒ yǔ zhòu de ào mì

Scientists are exploring the mysteries of the universe.

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Word breakdown

探 tàn — to probe, to investigate

Words with this character (10)
  • 1 探讨 tàn tǎo — to discuss, to explore HSK 6
    • 探 to explore, to probe, to investigate
    • 讨 to discuss, to debate
    Example

    老师和学生一起探讨了这个话题。

    lǎo shī hé xué shēng yì qǐ tàn tǎo le zhè ge huà tí

    The teacher and students discussed this topic together.

  • 2 侦探 zhēn tàn — detective HSK 7
    • 侦 investigate secretly, scout, detect
    • 探 search, probe, explore for clues
    Example

    侦探正在调查这个案件。

    zhēn tàn zhèng zài diào chá zhè ge àn jiàn

    The detective is investigating this case.

  • 3 勘探 kān tàn — prospect HSK 7
    • 勘 survey, investigate, examine
    • 探 explore, probe, search for
    Example

    地质队正在山区进行矿产勘探。

    dì zhì duì zhèng zài shān qū jìn xíng kuàng chǎn kān tàn

    The geological team is conducting mineral prospecting in the mountain area.

  • 4 探亲 tàn qīn — visit relatives HSK 7
    • 探 to visit, to seek out
    • 亲 relatives, family members
    Example

    他春节回家探亲。

    tā chūn jié huí jiā tàn qīn

    He goes home to visit relatives during Spring Festival.

  • 5 探望 tàn wàng — to visit (someone) HSK 7
    • 探 to seek out, to inquire, to visit
    • 望 to look at, to see, to observe
    Example

    我周末去医院探望生病的朋友。

    wǒ zhōu mò qù yī yuàn tàn wàng shēng bìng de péng you

    I went to the hospital on the weekend to visit my sick friend.

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索 suǒ — to search, to seek

Words with this character (10)
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  • 6 思索 sī suǒ — to ponder HSK 7
    • 思 to think, thought
    • 索 to search, to seek
    Example

    他坐在窗边思索人生的意义。

    tā zuò zài chuāng biān sī suǒ rén shēng de yì yì

    He sat by the window pondering the meaning of life.

  • 7 摸索 mō suǒ — grope HSK 7
    • 摸 to feel, touch
    • 索 to search, seek
    Example

    他在黑暗中摸索着找开关。

    tā zài hēi àn zhōng mō suǒ zhe zhǎo kāi guān

    He groped for the switch in the darkness.

  • 8 索取 suǒ qǔ — to demand; to request; to ask for HSK 7
    • 索 to seek; to search for; to demand
    • 取 to take; to obtain; to get
    Example

    客户有权索取发票。

    kè hù yǒu quán suǒ qǔ fā piào

    Customers have the right to request invoices.

  • 9 索性 suǒ xìng — simply; might as well HSK 7
    • 索 directly; straightforwardly (conveys decisiveness)
    • 性 nature; character (forms adverbial suffix indicating manner)
    Example

    雨下得太大了，我索性不去了。

    yǔ xià de tài dà le wǒ suǒ xìng bù qù le

    The rain is too heavy, so I simply won't go.

  • 10 索赔 suǒ péi — to claim compensation HSK 7
    • 索 to demand, to seek, to request
    • 赔 to compensate, to indemnify, to pay for damages
    Example

    他因产品质量问题向商家索赔。

    tā yīn chǎn pǐn zhì liàng wèn tí xiàng shāng jiā suǒ péi

    He claimed compensation from the merchant due to product quality issues.

Structure & writing
1 探 tàn — reach out and feel for something

探 is not used as a component in any other character.

探 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.

Stroke order

2 索 suǒ — thick rope or chain
索 is a component in 1 characters
HSK 7
嗦 suo see '哆嗦': involuntary trembling of the body from external stimulation

consists of

2.1 十 shí — ten (the number 9+1)
十 is a component in 29 characters
HSK 1
什 shén see "什么": ① interrogative pronoun; ② indefinite reference; ③ universal reference (used before 也/都); ④ surprise or dissatisfaction; ⑤ reproach; ⑥ disagreement; ⑦ non-exhaustive enumeration 卖 mài to sell; to exchange goods, skills, or labor for money (opposite of 买) 早 zǎo morning
HSK 2
妻 qī wife (opposite of 夫)
HSK 3
南 nán south (one of the four cardinal directions, opposite of north) 直 zhí straight; not curved (opposite of 曲)
HSK 4
克 kè to be able to; can 博 bó abundant; plentiful 叶 yè leaf (of a plant) 戴 dài to wear or put on (something on the head or body) 支 zhī to prop up; to support
Show more HSK 4 characters (+7)
毕 bì to finish, to conclude 汁 zhī juice; liquid containing certain substances 章 zhāng a section or chapter of music, poetry, or prose 计 jì to calculate; to reckon 质 zhì fundamental nature of a thing 辛 xīn pungent; spicy 针 zhēn needle or pin (slender metal tool with a point and eye or hook, used for sewing or knitting)
HSK 5
华 huá referring to China 协 xié harmonious; in accord 古 gǔ ancient; of a bygone era, opposite of 'present' 盾 dùn shield (ancient protective weapon used in battle) 索 suǒ thick rope or chain
Show more HSK 5 characters (+1)
裁 cái to arrange and select (mostly used in literary arts)
HSK 6
德 dé morality; ethical standards and norms of conduct 截 jié to cut off; to sever (something long and slender)
HSK 7
卉 huì general term for various plants (esp. ornamental grasses and flowers) 卑 bēi low; lowly 嚏 tì (lit.) to sneeze
2.2 冖 mì — cover, cloth draped over something
冖 is a component in 32 characters
HSK 1
亮 liàng bright; luminous 写 xiě to write characters with a pen on paper or other surface 学 xué to study; to learn (opposite of 教) 爱 ài to love; to have deep affection for someone or something 觉 jué perception and discrimination of stimuli by organs of the body
HSK 2
旁 páng side; nearby
HSK 3
受 shòu to receive; to accept 带 dài ribbon, strip, or belt-shaped object
HSK 5
军 jūn armed forces; military 冠 guàn (lit.) to put on a hat (in ancient times, a capping ceremony at age 20 marked adulthood) 劳 láo to labor; human activity of creating material or spiritual wealth 索 suǒ thick rope or chain 荣 róng lush; flourishing (of plants)
Show more HSK 5 characters (+1)
营 yíng to seek; to pursue
HSK 6
壶 hú kettle; pot; jug (a vessel with a spout and handle for holding liquids) 帝 dì supreme deity or ruler of the universe in religion or mythology 毫 háo fine, pointed hair on a person or animal 牵 qiān to lead or pull along 瞬 shùn to blink; to wink
HSK 7
亭 tíng pavilion; open-sided roofed structure for rest, built by a road or in a garden 侵 qīn to invade, to encroach on others' rights 冗 rǒng superfluous; useless; idle 冤 yuān to wrong; to treat unjustly 叠 dié to stack in layers; to pile up
Show more HSK 7 characters (+8)
嚏 tì (lit.) to sneeze 寝 qǐn to sleep 帚 zhǒu broom; tool for sweeping away dust, dirt, and grime 浸 jìn to soak in liquid; to steep 荧 yíng (lit.) dim; faintly glowing 莹 yíng (lit.) a smooth, jade-like stone 蒙 méng ignorant, lacking knowledge 鹤 hè crane (large wading bird with long neck and legs, white or grey plumage)
2.3 糸 mì — fine silk thread, thin fiber
糸 is a component in 8 characters
HSK 1
系 xì system; interconnected series
HSK 2
累 lěi to pile up; to accumulate
HSK 5
素 sù white; natural color 索 suǒ thick rope or chain 紫 zǐ purple; violet color 繁 fán numerous; complex (opposite of 简)
HSK 7
紊 wěn disordered; chaotic; confused 絮 xù cotton fibers; cotton wadding

Stroke order