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March 24, 2026
探tàn(tan4)
The character 探 (tàn) means 'to explore' or 'to search out.' It is commonly used in contexts where someone seeks to discover or investigate something, whether physically, like exploring a place, or abstractly, like searching for information or ideas. This character conveys a sense of curiosity and initiative.
Strokes11Radical扌Frequency#549DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, exploration is often tied to a deep respect for nature and the unknown, reflected in traditional poetry and philosophy that emphasizes harmony with the environment. The concept of '探险' (tànxiǎn) resonates with China's rich history of exploration along the Silk Road.
Memory Tip
Think of 探 (tàn) as a person stretching their hand forward (the radical 扌 suggests hand-related actions) to explore or search for something hidden. Imagine reaching out through a dense forest to find a treasure, embodying the action of searching and discovery.
Meanings of 探
tàn(tan4)
1to explore
2to search out
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 探
探Simplified
11Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#549Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 探
Podcast: 探
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AI Study Notes for 探
Quick Contrast
探索 (tàn suǒ) vs 探索 (tàn suǒ) — use 探 (tàn) for a more general or direct sense of 'explore' or 'search out' without the additional nuance of systematic investigation that 探索 (tàn suǒ) implies.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 探 (tàn) as a person stretching their hand forward (the radical 扌 suggests hand-related actions) to explore or search for something hidden. Imagine reaching out through a dense forest to find a treasure, embodying the action of searching and discovery.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 探 with similar verbs like 查 (chá) which means 'to check' or 'to investigate.' Use 探 in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of the tone; it can carry a more adventurous connotation than other synonyms. Typical collocations include 探险 (tànxiǎn) meaning 'to adventure' and 探讨 (tàntǎo) meaning 'to discuss or explore a topic.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 探 is not an HSK level word, it is useful to understand alongside HSK vocabulary related to exploration or inquiry, such as 研究 (yánjiū, 'to research') or 调查 (diàochá, 'to investigate'). Focus on using it in phrases that convey exploration.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, exploration is often tied to a deep respect for nature and the unknown, reflected in traditional poetry and philosophy that emphasizes harmony with the environment. The concept of '探险' (tànxiǎn) resonates with China's rich history of exploration along the Silk Road.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 探 with 发现 (fāxiàn), which means 'to discover' rather than 'to explore.' For example, saying '我探到了新地方' (Wǒ tàndào le xīn dìfāng) is incorrect; instead, use '我发现了新地方' (Wǒ fāxiàn le xīn dìfāng) meaning 'I discovered a new place.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 探
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Grammar Patterns of 探
探 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 6 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 4
Complete the Sentence
她从未放弃过____究我内心深处情感的尝试。
She never abandoned her attempts to plumb my innermost emotions.
Example Sentences for 探 (10)
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1
她从未放弃过探究我内心深处情感的尝试。
tā cóng wèi fàng qì guò tàn jiū wǒ nèi xīn shēn chǔ qíng gǎn de cháng shì。
She never abandoned her attempts to plumb my innermost emotions.
2
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.
3
要慢慢地打探他的口风，要确保是他的心里话。
yào màn màn dì dǎ tàn tā de kǒu fēng， ， yào què bǎo shì tā de xīn lǐ。
Sound him out gradually. Make sure it is what he really wants.
4
这正是洞穴探险者害怕的那种洪水。
zhè zhèng shì dòng xué tàn xiǎn zhě hài pà de nà zhǒng hóng shuǐ。
Oh, well done, Sherlock. Did you figure that out all by yourself?
9
咱们不跳这个舞好 吗 ?我怕我的探戈舞跳得太糟.
zán mén bù tiào zhè gè wǔ hǎo? ma ? wǒ pà wǒ de tàn gē wǔ tiào dé.
Let's sit this one out, shall we? I'm afraid I tango very badly.
10
每个人都言语不露痕迹地试图打探到更多关于他的事。
měi gè rén dū yán yǔ bù lòu hén jì dì shì tú dǎ tàn dào gēng duō guān yú tā de shì。
Everyone tried discreetly to find out more about him.
Cultural Notes for 探
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, exploration is often tied to a deep respect for nature and the unknown, reflected in traditional poetry and philosophy that emphasizes harmony with the environment. The concept of '探险' (tànxiǎn) resonates with China's rich history of exploration along the Silk Road.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While exploration in Western cultures often emphasizes adventure and conquering new lands, in Chinese culture, it is more about understanding and harmonizing with the environment and oneself.
Word Family of 探
Words Containing This Character20
探tànto explore
探索tànsuǒto explore
探讨tàntǎoto probe探討
侦探zhēntàndetective偵探
探测tàncèto probe探測
探长(police) detective探長
探险tànxiǎnto explore探險
探望tànwàngto visit
探测器detector探測器
试探shìtanto sound out試探
勘探kāntànto explore
探究to delve
探访to call on探訪
探戈tango (dance) (loanword)
探头a probe探頭
探查to examine
探亲tànqīnto go home to visit one's family探親
密探secret agent
打探to scout out
探视to look inquiringly探視
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 探 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 探
You can say '我想探讨这个问题' (Wǒ xiǎng tàntǎo zhège wèntí), meaning 'I want to explore this issue.'
Not necessarily; while it often has a positive connotation, it can also imply a sense of probing or intrusiveness depending on the context.
Synonyms include 探索 (tànsuǒ) meaning 'to explore' and 查 (chá) meaning 'to check or investigate.'
