探 meaning and stroke order
To explore; to search out; to scout
How to write 探, stroke by stroke
11 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 探
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to explore
- to search out
- to scout
- to visit
- to stretch forward
How 探 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Hand.
扌 gives the meaning.
Radical: 扌 (hand), shared by 342 characters on this site.
How to remember 探
The hand radical 扌 on the left tells you this character is about doing something with your hand. Picture a hand reaching out over a tree 木 on the right, groping around to search for something hidden.
探 (tàn) appears mostly in compound words about exploring, probing, or visiting, such as 探索 (tànsuǒ) to explore and 探望 (tànwàng) to visit. It can also mean to stick something out, as in 探头 (tàn tóu) to poke your head out. Example: 我周末去医院探望奶奶。(Wǒ zhōumò qù yīyuàn tànwàng nǎinai.) I am visiting my grandma in the hospital this weekend.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 探 (tàn) with 深 (shēn, deep), because the right sides look almost the same. Check the left side: a hand 扌 means searching, and water 氵 means deep.
Common words with 探
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 探索 | tànsuǒ | to explore; to probe | HSK 6 |
| 探讨 | tàntǎo | to investigate; to probe | HSK 6 |
| 探望 | tànwàng | to visit; to call on sb | HSK 7-9 |
| 探险 | tànxiǎn | to explore; to go on an expedition | HSK 7-9 |
| 探测 | tàncè | to probe; to survey | HSK 7-9 |
| 试探 | shìtan | to sound out; to probe | HSK 7-9 |
| 勘探 | kāntàn | to explore; to survey | HSK 7-9 |
| 探亲 | tànqīn | to go home to visit one's family | HSK 7-9 |
| 探求 | tànqiú | to seek; to pursue | HSK 7-9 |
| 探员 | tànyuán | detective; investigator | |
| 警探 | jǐngtàn | police detective | |
| 侦探 | zhēntàn | detective; to do detective work | |
| 探长 | tànzhǎng | (police) detective | |
| 探测器 | tàncèqì | detector; probe |
探 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 探
How many strokes are in 探?
探 is written with 11 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 探 mean?
探 (tàn) means to explore; to search out; to scout. A common word with it is 探索 (tànsuǒ), meaning "to explore; to probe".
How do you pronounce 探?
探 is pronounced tàn, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 探?
The radical of 探 is 扌, which carries the idea of "hand". Dictionaries list 探 under this radical.
Is 探 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 探 is part of the HSK 6 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 探望 and 拜访?
探望 (tànwàng) is used for visiting someone who needs care or whom you miss, like a sick friend or family far away. 拜访 (bàifǎng) is a more formal visit, often to pay respects or for business.
Why is 试探 pronounced shìtan and not shìtàn?
In everyday speech, 探 often loses its tone in 试探 and becomes neutral. Many dictionaries list shìtan, though you will also hear shìtàn in careful speech. It means to sound someone out or test their attitude.