try to explore; sound out; test the waters
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to tentatively explore; to try to find out (a solution, method, etc.)
neutralFocuses on exploring possibilities or trying to find a solution, often in a methodical or careful way.
Wǒ我
men们
xū需
yào要
shì试
tàn探
yī一
xià下
jǐ几
zhǒng种
bù不
tóng同
de的
shè设
jì计
fāng方
àn案
。
We need to tentatively explore several different design plans.
Kē科
xué学
jiā家
men们
zhèng正
zài在
shì试
tàn探
xīn新
de的
zhì治
liáo疗
tú途
jìng径
。
Scientists are trying to find new therapeutic approaches.
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Tā他
xiě写
le了
jǐ几
háng行
dài代
mǎ码
lái来
shì试
tàn探
xì系
tǒng统
de的
fǎn反
yìng应
。
He wrote a few lines of code to test the system's response.
verb
to sound out; to feel out; to test the waters (using ambiguous words or actions to elicit a reaction)
neutralFocuses on interpersonal interaction, using indirect or ambiguous means to gauge someone's thoughts, intentions, or reactions. Often involves caution or diplomacy.
Tā他
xiān先
shì试
tàn探
le了
yī一
xià下
lǎo老
bǎn板
duì对
jiā加
xīn薪
de的
kàn看
fǎ法
。
He first sounded out the boss about a raise.
Tā她
xiǎo小
xīn心
yì翼
yì翼
de地
shì试
tàn探
zhe着
wèn问
：
“
Nǐ你
jīn今
wǎn晚
yǒu有
kòng空
ma吗
？
”
She cautiously tested the waters by asking, 'Are you free tonight?'
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Tán谈
pàn判
kāi开
shǐ始
qián前
，
shuāng双
fāng方
dài代
biǎo表
hù互
xiāng相
shì试
tàn探
duì对
fāng方
de的
dǐ底
xiàn线
。
Before the negotiations began, the representatives from both sides felt each other out to gauge their bottom lines.