Meanings of 偵
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About 偵
Podcast: 偵
Podcast: 偵
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AI Study Notes for 偵
侦 (zhēn) - used in more formal or legal contexts, while 偵 (zhēn) often implies a more casual or narrative sense of spying.
This term is typically used in more formal or professional contexts, such as law enforcement or investigation. Common collocations include '偵查' (to investigate) and '偵探' (detective). Be careful with the tone; mispronouncing it can change the meaning.
Though 偵 is not currently in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other words related to investigation and observation, such as 查 (chá - to check) and 察 (chá - to inspect). Focus on the context in which these terms are used together.
Learners often confuse 偵 with similar-sounding characters like 证 (zhèng - to prove). For example, saying '我想要偵这个问题' (I want to spy on this question) instead of '我想要调查这个问题' (I want to investigate this question) is incorrect.
Pronunciation of 偵
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Etymology of 偵
person
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 偵
- 1The meaning half亻 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half貞 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 偵? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 偵?
Decomposition of 偵
Identify the Components
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How to say to spy, to reconnoiter; detective in Chinese
“to spy, to reconnoiter; detective” in Chinese is偵
The character 偵 (zhēn) means 'to spy' or 'to reconnoiter.' It is commonly used in contexts related to investigation, detective work, or surveillance. The nuance often implies a level of secrecy and observation.
When to use 偵
This term is typically used in more formal or professional contexts, such as law enforcement or investigation. Common collocations include '偵查' (to investigate) and '偵探' (detective). Be careful with the tone; mispronouncing it can change the meaning.
偵 or something close to it
侦 (zhēn) - used in more formal or legal contexts, while 偵 (zhēn) often implies a more casual or narrative sense of spying.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 偵 with similar-sounding characters like 证 (zhèng - to prove). For example, saying '我想要偵这个问题' (I want to spy on this question) instead of '我想要调查这个问题' (I want to investigate this question) is incorrect.
Write 偵
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Practice writing 偵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 偵
Compound Meaning
What does 侦探 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 偵
侦 (zhēn) is a simplified form of 偵, and both have the same meaning. However, 偵 is used in traditional Chinese contexts.
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