探索
tànsuǒ
To explore in Chinese is 探索 (tànsuǒ).
探索 is used for both physical exploration (like space or nature) and abstract exploration (like scientific truth or new methods).
Meaning: to travel somewhere in search of discovery (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of two parts: the first character 探 means to probe, search or investigate and the second character 索 means to seek, demand or search for.
Which one should you use?
While 探索 focuses on the act of searching and discovering, 探险 emphasizes the risk and adventure involved in the journey.
How do you pronounce it?
tànsuǒ
Did you know?
- The character 探 contains the radical for 'hand' on the left, emphasizing that exploration in the Chinese worldview traditionally began with the physical act of touching or feeling.
- The character 索 originally depicted a rope or cord used for binding. This reflects an ancient idea that searching for something is like pulling on a string to find the end of a mystery.
- The character 探 can also be used in the word for 'visit' or 'to see' someone, such as in 探望 (tànwàng).
Examples in context
- 該探測器會歸納火星的地質和過去的氣候，並成為第一個收集和儲存火星岩石和風化層的探測器，為人類探索這顆紅色星球鋪平道路。The probe will summarize Mars' geology and past climate, and become the first spacecraft to collect and store Martian rocks and regolith, paving the way for humans to explore the Red Planet.This sentence shows how to use 探索 regarding the exploration of a planet.Tatoeba #13539423 by LeviHighway, translation #13541111 by LeviHighway
- 我想要去探索世界。那是我的夢想。I want to explore the world. It’s my dream.This sentence uses 探索 to express a dream of exploring the world.Tatoeba #10327558 by DaoSeng, translation #8986739 by Ricardo14
- 我们应该探索未知领域的科学。We should explore the science of unknown realms.
- 我们正在研究太空探索。We are researching space exploration.
- 我们一起去探险吧！Let's go on an adventure together!
- 她渴望游历世界各地。She longs to explore different parts of the world.
- 年轻人常常寻找自己的激情所在。Youth often explore where their passions lie.
- 我們應該去探索那座森林。Wǒmen yīnggāi qù tànsuǒ nà zuò sēnlín.We should go explore that forest.
Example conversation
Wei and Jiayi are planning their summer vacation.
- 伟 Wei佳怡，你想去探索熱帶雨林嗎？Jiāyí, nǐ xiǎng qù tànsuǒ rèdài yǔlín ma?Jiayi, do you want to go explore the tropical rainforest?
- 佳怡 Jiayi聽起來很刺激，我想去！Tīng qǐlái hěn cìjī, wǒ xiǎng qù!That sounds exciting, I want to go!
- 伟 Wei那我們可以探索很多未知的植物。Nà wǒmen kěyǐ tànsuǒ hěnduō wèizhī de zhíwù.Then we can explore many unknown plants.
- 佳怡 Jiayi太棒了，我現在就開始準備。Tài bàng le, wǒ xiànzài jiù kāishǐ zhǔnbèi.Great, I'll start preparing right now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
