察 (chá) - To observe & to examine

察Tone 2

chá ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

偲嫦

察 · chá

To observe;

to examine;

to investigate;

to scrutinize;

to perceive.

To observeto examineto investigate

Usage highlights

Observe carefullyInvestigate a casePoliceDetectInspectPerceive words and countenance

Synonyms

  • 观— to observe, to watch
  • 看— to look, to see
  • 审— to examine, to interrogate

Antonyms

  • 忽— to neglect, to overlook
  • 略— to omit, to disregard

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The police are investigating the case (警察在察案子).
  • We need to observe the details carefully (我们需要仔细观察细节).
  • He is good at discerning people's true intentions (他善于察言观色).
  • The government is monitoring the situation (政府正在察视情况).

Collocations

  • Observe carefully(仔细观察)
  • Investigate a case(察案)
  • Police(警察)
  • Detect(察觉)
  • Inspect(检察)
  • Perceive words and countenance(察言观色)

Idioms

  • Observe words and watch countenance(察言观色)
  • Investiate the people's condition(察察为明)
  • Clear observation, evident benevolence(明察秋毫)
  • Investigate the actual situation(察其虚实)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character embodies the Confucian ideal of careful observation and discernment as a virtue for rulers and officials.
  • In traditional Chinese thought, '察' is associated with wisdom and the ability to perceive the truth beneath surface appearances.
  • It is a key concept in legal and administrative contexts, emphasizing thorough investigation and scrutiny.

FAQ