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搜索 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
搜索
sōusuǒ
to search
HSK 5, v, 22 strokes, rank #2434, Hard
搜索
sōusuǒ
to look for sth
HSK 5, v, 22 strokes, rank #2434, Hard
搜索
sōusuǒ
to scour (search meticulously)
HSK 5, v, 22 strokes, rank #2434, Hard
搜索
sōusuǒ
to look sth up
HSK 5, v, 22 strokes, rank #2434, Hard
搜索
sōusuǒ
Internet search
HSK 5, v, 22 strokes, rank #2434, Hard
搜索
sōusuǒ
database search
HSK 5, v, 22 strokes, rank #2434, Hard
搜索
sōusuǒ
to search (a place)
HSK 5, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #2434, Hard
搜索
sōusuǒ
to search (a database etc)
HSK 5, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #2434, Hard
sōusuǒ(sou1suo3)sou suo T1
1to search
2to look for sth
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
搜索sōusuǒ(sou1suo3)
The verb 搜索 (sōu suǒ) means to actively search for something, whether it be information, a physical object, or data in a database. It is commonly used in both everyday contexts, such as looking for items, as well as in digital contexts, like conducting an Internet search or querying a database.
Strokes22Frequency#2434DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In modern China, the term 搜索 is often associated with the use of search engines like Baidu, reflecting the importance of the Internet in daily life and information access.
Memory tip
Imagine a detective (the character 搜) with a magnifying glass (the radical '氵' represents searching through water or depths) scouring the ground (the character '索' suggests looking thoroughly) for clues. This visual of a meticulous search helps connect the pronunciation 'sōu suǒ' to the action of searching.
Meanings of 搜索
sōusuǒ(sou1suo3)
1to search
2to look for sth
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 搜索 means.
About 搜索
搜索Simplified
22Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2434Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 搜索
Podcast: 搜索
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AI study notes for 搜索
Quick Contrast
查找 (cházhǎo) - use 搜索 when emphasizing a systematic or extensive search, while 查找 is more about finding specific items or information.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is confusing 搜索 with 查找 (chá zhǎo), which also means to look for but is less intensive. 搜索 is typically used in more formal contexts, especially regarding technology, while 查找 can be used in everyday conversation. Be mindful of the tones: 'sōu' (first tone) is high and steady, while 'suǒ' (third tone) dips and then rises.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 5, students should focus on using 搜索 in both spoken and written forms, especially in contexts involving technology and research. It connects well with other HSK 5 vocabulary related to information retrieval, such as 信息 (xìn xī - information) and 数据 (shù jù - data).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 搜索 with other verbs like 找 (zhǎo - to find) or 查找 (chá zhǎo - to look up). For example, saying '我在找信息' (Wǒ zài zhǎo xìn xī) is less precise than '我在搜索信息' (Wǒ zài sōu suǒ xìn xī), which emphasizes a more active search.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 搜索
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Tone practice
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Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 搜索 through them.
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How well do you know 搜索?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 搜索 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.
The verb 搜索 (sōu suǒ) means to actively search for something, whether it be information, a physical object, or data in a database. It is commonly used in both everyday contexts, such as looking for items, as well as in digital contexts, like conducting an Internet search or querying a database.
When to use 搜索
A common mistake is confusing 搜索 with 查找 (chá zhǎo), which also means to look for but is less intensive. 搜索 is typically used in more formal contexts, especially regarding technology, while 查找 can be used in everyday conversation. Be mindful of the tones: 'sōu' (first tone) is high and steady, while 'suǒ' (third tone) dips and then rises.
搜索 or something close to it
查找 (cházhǎo) - use 搜索 when emphasizing a systematic or extensive search, while 查找 is more about finding specific items or information.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 搜索 with other verbs like 找 (zhǎo - to find) or 查找 (chá zhǎo - to look up). For example, saying '我在找信息' (Wǒ zài zhǎo xìn xī) is less precise than '我在搜索信息' (Wǒ zài sōu suǒ xìn xī), which emphasizes a more active search.
Write 搜索
搜
索
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Practice writing 搜索 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 搜索
搜索 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 8 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.
我向下滚动文档____“美利坚合众国”。
I scrolled down to find "United States of America".
