detect; explore; probe; survey
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to detect; to explore; to survey and measure (using instruments to investigate things or phenomena that cannot be directly observed)
Commonly used in scientific, military, geographical, and space exploration contexts. Often appears in compounds like 探测器 (detector/probe).
Kē科
xué学
jiā家
shǐ使
yòng用
léi雷
dá达
tàn探
cè测
gāo高
kōng空
yún云
céng层
。
Scientists use radar to detect high-altitude cloud formations.
Zhè这
sōu艘
chuán船
de的
rèn任
wù务
shì是
tàn探
cè测
hǎi海
de的
shēn深
dù度
。
The mission of this vessel is to survey the depth of the sea.
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Yuè月
qiú球
tàn探
cè测
qì器
fā发
huí回
le了
zhēn珍
guì贵
de的
shù数
jù据
。
The lunar probe sent back precious data.
verb
to probe; to try to find out (secrets, thoughts, or hidden information)
Metaphorical extension of the literal meaning. Often used for investigating people's inner thoughts, secrets, or sensitive information that is not openly expressed.
Tā他
shì试
tú图
tàn探
cè测
duì对
fāng方
xīn心
lǐ里
de的
mì秘
mì密
。
He tried to probe the secrets in the other person's heart.
Jì记
zhě者
men们
yī一
zhí直
zài在
tàn探
cè测
zhèng政
fǔ府
de的
zhēn真
shí实
yì意
tú图
。
The reporters have been constantly trying to find out the government's true intentions.
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Bù不
yào要
qīng轻
yì易
tàn探
cè测
bié别
rén人
de的
yǐn隐
sī私
。
Don't casually pry into other people's privacy.