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March 24, 2026
侦探(偵探)zhēntàn(zhen1tan4)
侦探 (zhēntàn) refers to a detective or the act of conducting detective work. This term is commonly used in contexts involving investigation, crime solving, or mystery; it embodies the idea of seeking out the truth and uncovering hidden information.
Strokes19Frequency#1488DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, detectives are often portrayed in literature and film as meticulous and shrewd, reflecting a societal appreciation for logic and problem-solving. The popularity of detective stories, such as those featuring characters like Sherlock Holmes, has also influenced modern interpretations of the detective role in China.
Memory Tip
Imagine a detective with a magnifying glass (the radical 亻, meaning 'person') closely examining clues. The sound 'zhēn' can be associated with 'zen', as in deeply focused and thoughtful, while 'tan' sounds like 'tantrum', which a detective might have when frustrated by a lack of evidence.
Meanings of 侦探
zhēntàn(zhen1tan4)
1detective
2to do detective work
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 侦探
侦探Simplified
偵探Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1488Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 侦探
Podcast: 侦探
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AI Study Notes for 侦探
Quick Contrast
侦探 (detective) vs 调查员 (investigator) — choose 侦探 when emphasizing the role in solving crimes or mysteries, while 调查员 is broader and can refer to any investigator, not necessarily in a criminal context.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 侦探; it should be spoken as 'zhēn tàn' with the correct first tone and fourth tone. This term is generally used in formal contexts, such as in law enforcement or literature, and is often paired with words like '案件' (case) or '调查' (investigation).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 侦探 connects to other advanced vocabulary about professions and activities. Focus on its usage in contexts involving crime and investigation, as well as related phrases like '侦查' (to investigate) and '侦讯' (interrogation).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 侦探 with 侦查 (to investigate), mistakenly believing they are interchangeable. Remember, 侦探 is a noun for 'detective', while 侦查 refers to the act of investigating.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 侦探
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How Well Do You Know 侦探?
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Knowing 侦探 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.
侦探 (zhēntàn) refers to a detective or the act of conducting detective work. This term is commonly used in contexts involving investigation, crime solving, or mystery; it embodies the idea of seeking out the truth and uncovering hidden information.
When to use 侦探
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 侦探; it should be spoken as 'zhēn tàn' with the correct first tone and fourth tone. This term is generally used in formal contexts, such as in law enforcement or literature, and is often paired with words like '案件' (case) or '调查' (investigation).
侦探 or something close to it
侦探 (detective) vs 调查员 (investigator) — choose 侦探 when emphasizing the role in solving crimes or mysteries, while 调查员 is broader and can refer to any investigator, not necessarily in a criminal context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 侦探 with 侦查 (to investigate), mistakenly believing they are interchangeable. Remember, 侦探 is a noun for 'detective', while 侦查 refers to the act of investigating.
Write 侦探
侦
探
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Grammar Patterns of 侦探
侦探 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 2 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
喔，干得好，大____。你全是自己推断出来的吗？
Oh, well done, Sherlock. Did you figure that out all by yourself?
Detective Holt said: "The kidnapper is a man we must catch and the sooner the better".
10
那个外号叫福尔摩斯的侦探令罪犯闻之丧胆.
nà gè wài hào jiào fú ěr mó sī de zhēn tàn líng zuì fàn wén zhī sāng dǎn.
The detective, nicknamed Holmes , is a terror to criminals.
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Frequently Asked Questions about 侦探
侦探 specifically refers to a detective, often with a focus on criminal investigations, while 调查员 (diàocháyuán) refers to an investigator or inspector in a broader sense.
While primarily associated with crime, 侦探 can sometimes be used metaphorically in non-criminal contexts, such as uncovering hidden truths in research or journalism.
Yes, the profession of a 侦探 exists in China, though it may not be as universally recognized as in Western countries, and private detectives are less common.
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