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March 24, 2026
侦(偵)zhēn(zhen1)
The character 侦 (zhēn) means to scout or spy, often used in the context of investigation or reconnaissance. It is commonly associated with activities related to detecting information or gathering intelligence, both in military and everyday contexts.
Strokes8Radical亻Frequency#10621DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of spying or investigation holds significance in both historical tales, such as those involving espionage during wartime, and in modern media, like detective dramas.
Memory Tip
Imagine a detective (侦) wearing a magnifying glass, scouting for clues. The character has a person (亻) on the left indicating action related to a person, and the right side resembles a 'sight' with the 'eye' looking for hidden details.
Meanings of 侦
zhēn(zhen1)
1to scout
2to spy
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 侦
侦Simplified
偵Traditional
8Strokes
亻Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#10621Frequency Rank
Podcast: 侦
Podcast: 侦
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AI Study Notes for 侦
Quick Contrast
侦 (zhēn) vs 监 (jiān) — use 侦 when referring specifically to scouting or spying, while 监 relates more to monitoring or surveillance.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 侦 with its variant 偵, which also means to spy. This character is more formal and commonly used in contexts involving police or military investigations, so avoid using it in casual conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 侦 is not in the HSK lists, it connects with related terms like 侦查 (zhēnchá) meaning 'investigate'. Focus on how this character combines with other words to expand your vocabulary related to law enforcement or intelligence.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 侦 with similar characters like 侦查 (to investigate) and use it incorrectly in casual contexts. For example, saying '我侦我家' (I spy my home) is incorrect; a better phrase would be '我在侦查情况' (I am investigating the situation).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 侦
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2The sound half贞 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayperson
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 侦? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 侦?
Decomposition of 侦
IDS Structure⿰亻贞
侦Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
贞zhen1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 侦?
How to say to scout in Chinese
“to scout” in Chinese is侦zhēn
The character 侦 (zhēn) means to scout or spy, often used in the context of investigation or reconnaissance. It is commonly associated with activities related to detecting information or gathering intelligence, both in military and everyday contexts.
When to use 侦
Be careful not to confuse 侦 with its variant 偵, which also means to spy. This character is more formal and commonly used in contexts involving police or military investigations, so avoid using it in casual conversation.
侦 or something close to it
侦 (zhēn) vs 监 (jiān) — use 侦 when referring specifically to scouting or spying, while 监 relates more to monitoring or surveillance.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 侦 with similar characters like 侦查 (to investigate) and use it incorrectly in casual contexts. For example, saying '我侦我家' (I spy my home) is incorrect; a better phrase would be '我在侦查情况' (I am investigating the situation).
Write 侦
侦
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Practice writing 侦 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 侦
侦 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
我留下一名中士指挥，自己策马前去____察敌情。
I left a sergeant in command and rode forward to reconnoitre.
