侦查 (zhēnchá) refers to the act of investigating or conducting surveillance, often in a law enforcement or intelligence context. It involves gathering information or evidence to uncover the truth about a situation, typically related to criminal activities or espionage. The term emphasizes a systematic and often secretive approach to obtaining information.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
zhēnchá(zhen1cha2) T1
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May 27, 2026
侦查zhēnchá(zhen1cha2)
侦查 (zhēnchá) refers to the act of investigating or conducting surveillance, often in a law enforcement or intelligence context. It involves gathering information or evidence to uncover the truth about a situation, typically related to criminal activities or espionage. The term emphasizes a systematic and often secretive approach to obtaining information.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 侦查 is often associated with the historical context of espionage and the importance of intelligence in both ancient and modern times, reflecting the value placed on strategic information gathering.
Memory Tip
Think of a detective wearing a trench coat, peering through a magnifying glass to 'investigate' (侦查) a mysterious case. The radical 侦 suggests 'to investigate,' while 查 means 'to check,' combining both to create the image of closely examining evidence.
About 侦查
侦查Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 侦查
Podcast: 侦查
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AI Study Notes for 侦查
Quick Contrast
侦查 (zhēnchá) vs 调查 (diàochá) — use 侦查 for secretive investigations, while 调查 is more general for surveys or inquiries.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of a detective wearing a trench coat, peering through a magnifying glass to 'investigate' (侦查) a mysterious case. The radical 侦 suggests 'to investigate,' while 查 means 'to check,' combining both to create the image of closely examining evidence.
Usage Notes
侦查 is commonly used in formal contexts, particularly in law enforcement and intelligence discussions. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with the more general term 调查 (diàochá), which means 'to investigate' in a broader sense. Additionally, it's important to remember that the tone is crucial, as mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 7 vocabulary word, students should focus on its application in complex sentence structures and its use in formal discussions about crime and investigation. This word connects to other HSK 7 terms related to law and order, enhancing their ability to discuss serious topics in Mandarin.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 侦查 is often associated with the historical context of espionage and the importance of intelligence in both ancient and modern times, reflecting the value placed on strategic information gathering.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 侦查 with the similar-sounding term 观察 (guānchá), which means 'to observe.' For example, saying '我在侦查这个问题' (Wǒ zài zhēnchá zhège wèntí) may be incorrect if they mean 'I am observing this issue' instead of 'investigating.' The correct term for observation would be 观察.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 侦查
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Cultural Notes for 侦查
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 侦查 is often associated with the historical context of espionage and the importance of intelligence in both ancient and modern times, reflecting the value placed on strategic information gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions about 侦查
侦查 is specifically related to investigation in contexts like law enforcement, while 调查 is a more general term for investigation or survey.
It's primarily used in formal contexts related to police or intelligence work, so it's less common in casual conversations.
While it is most commonly associated with criminal cases, it can also refer to intelligence gathering in other contexts.
