to investigate; to survey, to explore; to compare; to collate
vn, 11 strokes, radical 力, rank #21576, Very Hard
kān(kan1)kan T1
1to investigate
2to survey
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March 24, 2026
勘kān(kan1)
The character 勘 (kān) means to investigate or survey, commonly used in contexts involving exploration, examination, or comparison of data. This word is often associated with fields such as geography, research, and analysis, indicating a thorough and detailed approach to gathering information.
Strokes11Radical力Frequency#21576DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, investigation and thoroughness are highly valued, especially in fields like engineering and environmental studies. The concept of 勘 reflects the meticulous nature with which professionals approach their work, often involving detailed surveys and analyses.
Memory Tip
Imagine a detective with a magnifying glass (the shape of the character 勘) carefully investigating a scene. The top part of the character looks like a person observing closely, symbolizing the act of surveying, while the bottom part suggests digging deeper for answers. The pronunciation 'kān' can be remembered by associating it with 'can' as in 'can you investigate this for me?'
Meanings of 勘
kān(kan1)
1to investigate
2to survey
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 勘 means.
About 勘
勘Simplified
11Strokes
力Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#21576Frequency Rank
Podcast: 勘
Podcast: 勘
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AI Study Notes for 勘
Quick Contrast
勘 (kān) vs 查 (chá) — use 勘 for detailed investigation or survey, while 查 is more about checking or examining.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 勘 with similar characters like 看 (kàn), which means 'to see'. It is essential to note that 勘 has a more formal tone and is typically used in academic or professional contexts. Common collocations include 勘查 (kānchá - to investigate) and 勘测 (kāncè - to survey).
HSK Study Tips
While 勘 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it shares roots with words that involve investigation or examination. Students should focus on its application in academic or professional settings and consider how it complements other action verbs in their studies.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 勘 with similar-sounding words, leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我想勘这个电影' (I want to investigate this movie) is incorrect; instead, use '我想看这个电影' (I want to watch this movie).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 勘
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How Well Do You Know 勘?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 勘 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
勘 = 力 + 甚. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 勘
IDS Structure⿰甚力
勘Full Character
=
甚shen2
left
力Li4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 勘?
How to say to investigate in Chinese
“to investigate” in Chinese is勘kān
The character 勘 (kān) means to investigate or survey, commonly used in contexts involving exploration, examination, or comparison of data. This word is often associated with fields such as geography, research, and analysis, indicating a thorough and detailed approach to gathering information.
When to use 勘
Learners often confuse 勘 with similar characters like 看 (kàn), which means 'to see'. It is essential to note that 勘 has a more formal tone and is typically used in academic or professional contexts. Common collocations include 勘查 (kānchá - to investigate) and 勘测 (kāncè - to survey).
勘 or something close to it
勘 (kān) vs 查 (chá) — use 勘 for detailed investigation or survey, while 查 is more about checking or examining.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 勘 with similar-sounding words, leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我想勘这个电影' (I want to investigate this movie) is incorrect; instead, use '我想看这个电影' (I want to watch this movie).
Write 勘
勘
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Practice writing 勘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 勘
勘 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 4 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
奥瑞克斯是一家设在达拉斯的石油和天然气____探生产公司。
Oryx is a Dallas-based oil and gas exploration and production concern.
Example Sentences for 勘 (8)
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1
奥瑞克斯是一家设在达拉斯的石油和天然气勘探生产公司。
ào ruì kè sī shì yī jiā shè zài dá lā sī de shí yóu hé tiān rán qì kān tàn shēng chǎn gōng sī。
Oryx is a Dallas-based oil and gas exploration and production concern.
2
他们要在土地被分割为住宅用地前先勘察这块土地.
tā mén yào zài tǔ dì bèi fēn gē wéi zhù zhái yòng dì qián xiān kān chá zhè kuài tǔ dì.
They are surveying the land before it is divided into house lots.
