spy out; make conjectures from observation
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to spy out and surmise; to observe secretly and make conjectures
formalOften implies a secretive, careful, and possibly furtive attempt to understand a situation or someone's intentions. Used in formal or literary contexts.
Dí敌
fāng方
zhèng正
zài在
kuī窥
cè测
wǒ我
jūn军
de的
dòng动
xiàng向
。
The enemy is spying on and assessing the movements of our army.
Tā他
tòu透
guò过
mén门
fèng缝
，
kuī窥
cè测
zhe着
wū屋
nèi内
de的
qíng情
xíng形
。
He peered through the crack in the door, trying to spy out the situation inside the room.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Zhè这
wèi位
zhèng政
kè客
shàn善
yú于
kuī窥
cè测
mín民
yì意
，
tiáo调
zhěng整
zì自
jǐ己
de的
yán言
lùn论
。
This politician is good at gauging public opinion and adjusting his statements accordingly.