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探求 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
探求tànqiúto seekHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #32522, Very Hard
探求tànqiúto pursueHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #32522, Very Hard
探求tànqiúto investigateHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #32522, Very Hard
tànqiú(tan4qiu2)tan qiu T4
  1. 1to seek
  2. 2to pursue
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March 24, 2026

探求tànqiú(tan4qiu2)

探求 (tànqiú) means to seek or pursue something, often with a sense of investigation or inquiry. It is commonly used in contexts where one is searching for knowledge, truth, or understanding, such as in academic or philosophical discussions.

Strokes18Frequency#32522DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of 探求 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, particularly in the context of Confucianism, where the pursuit of knowledge and moral understanding is highly valued. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on education and lifelong learning.

Memory tip

Imagine a detective (探) using a magnifying glass to seek (求) clues. The character 探 resembles a person reaching out, while 求 looks like a hand grabbing something. Together, they symbolize the act of seeking or investigating.

Meanings of 探求

tànqiú(tan4qiu2)
1to seek
2to pursue
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About 探求

探求Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 探求

Quick Contrast

探索 (tànsuǒ) implies exploration or investigation, often in a broader or more adventurous context, while 探求 (tànqiú) emphasizes a deeper pursuit of knowledge or truth.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 探求 with similar verbs like 寻找 (xúnzhǎo), which means to search for something more tangible. 探求 is usually more abstract, relating to knowledge or deeper understanding. Use it in formal contexts like academic writing or discussions.

HSK Study Tips

While 探求 is not an HSK vocabulary word, its components are useful for understanding other characters. Students should focus on the radicals: 探 (to probe) and 求 (to request), which can help them recognize other related terms.

Common Mistakes

Learners may incorrectly use 探求 in casual contexts, mistakenly treating it like 寻找. For example, saying '我在探求我的钥匙' (I am seeking my keys) is incorrect; it should be '我在寻找我的钥匙'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 探求

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Component characters

探tànto explore
HSK 711 strokes扌
View full entry
求qiúto seek
HSK 67 strokes氺
View full entry

How to say to seek in Chinese

“to seek” in Chinese is探求tànqiú

探求 (tànqiú) means to seek or pursue something, often with a sense of investigation or inquiry. It is commonly used in contexts where one is searching for knowledge, truth, or understanding, such as in academic or philosophical discussions.

When to use 探求

Learners often confuse 探求 with similar verbs like 寻找 (xúnzhǎo), which means to search for something more tangible. 探求 is usually more abstract, relating to knowledge or deeper understanding. Use it in formal contexts like academic writing or discussions.

探求 or something close to it

探索 (tànsuǒ) implies exploration or investigation, often in a broader or more adventurous context, while 探求 (tànqiú) emphasizes a deeper pursuit of knowledge or truth.

What learners get wrong

Learners may incorrectly use 探求 in casual contexts, mistakenly treating it like 寻找. For example, saying '我在探求我的钥匙' (I am seeking my keys) is incorrect; it should be '我在寻找我的钥匙'.

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探
求

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Cultural Notes for 探求

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the pursuit of knowledge is often associated with individualism and personal achievement, while in Chinese culture, it may also involve communal or familial expectations.

Frequently asked questions about 探求

It's more commonly found in formal writing or academic discussions than in everyday speech.

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