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| 检查 [2025/08/04 01:39] – created xiaoer | 检查 [2025/08/04 01:40] (current) – xiaoer |
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| ====== jiǎnchá: 检查 - To Check, Inspect, Examine ====== | ====== jiǎnchá: 检查 - To Check, To Inspect, Examination ====== |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | ===== Quick Summary ===== |
| * **Keywords:** jiancha, 检查, check in Chinese, inspect in Chinese, examine Chinese, what does jiancha mean, medical check-up in Chinese, security check, checking homework, Chinese grammar, learn Chinese | * **Keywords:** 检查, jiancha, what does jiancha mean, Chinese check, Chinese inspection, Chinese medical exam, HSK 3 jiancha, 身体检查, security check China, check homework Chinese, examine Chinese |
| * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **检查 (jiǎnchá)**, a core Chinese word for "to check," "inspect," or "examine." This comprehensive guide explains how to use 检查 in various contexts, from a doctor's examination and an airport security check to a teacher checking homework. Learn its cultural significance, see practical examples, and avoid common mistakes to use this essential HSK 3 verb and noun like a native speaker. | * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **检查 (jiǎnchá)**, meaning 'to check,' 'to inspect,' or 'examination.' From a medical check-up (身体检查) to a security check at the airport, this HSK 3 verb/noun is crucial for daily life in China. This comprehensive guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and provides practical examples for beginners to master its use in any context. |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | ===== Core Meaning ===== |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiǎnchá | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiǎnchá |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb / Noun | * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Noun |
| * **HSK Level:** 3 | * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 |
| * **Concise Definition:** To check, inspect, or examine something carefully for correctness, safety, or condition. | * **Concise Definition:** To examine something systematically to verify its condition or a person's health. |
| * **In a Nutshell:** 检查 (jiǎnchá) isn't just a quick glance; it's a purposeful and often formal process of examination. Think of it as the action of looking something over against a standard or with a specific goal in mind. Whether it's a doctor performing a health check-up, a mechanic inspecting a car, or you double-checking your own work for errors, 检查 implies a degree of thoroughness and responsibility. | * **In a Nutshell:** **检查 (jiǎnchá)** is your go-to word for any kind of formal or systematic check. Think of a doctor giving you a check-up, a teacher checking homework, or a security guard inspecting your bag. It implies a process of looking carefully for a specific purpose—be it for mistakes, safety compliance, or health issues. It's more formal and thorough than just "looking" at something. |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | ===== Character Breakdown ===== |
| * **检 (jiǎn):** This character's radical is 木 (mù), meaning "wood." Historically, it related to sorting or examining wooden slips, which were used for writing. It carries the core meaning of "to inspect" or "to examine against a standard." | * **检 (jiǎn):** This character means "to check" or "to examine." The left side is the wood radical (木, mù), and the right side (佥, qiān) provides the sound. Historically, this combination could suggest a comprehensive look at something, like checking all the parts of a wooden structure for integrity. |
| * **查 (chá):** This character also contains the wood radical 木 (mù). It means "to check," "to investigate," or "to look into." Think of looking for a piece of information or investigating a situation. | * **查 (chá):** This character also means "to check" or "to investigate." It too contains the wood radical (木, mù) at the bottom. The original meaning is related to investigating or looking up information, perhaps from old records kept on wooden or bamboo slips. |
| * When combined, **检查 (jiǎnchá)** creates a powerful word that means to inspect (检) and investigate (查). It's a comprehensive examination to ensure everything is in order. | * When combined, **检查 (jiǎnchá)** becomes a reinforced term, like "examine-investigate." This pairing creates a strong, unambiguous word for a thorough and purposeful inspection. |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== |
| In Chinese culture, which often values order, process, and collective well-being, the concept of 检查 is fundamental. It appears in many facets of life, often with a more formal and serious connotation than the English word "check." | In Chinese culture, which often emphasizes order, safety, and accountability, the concept of **检查 (jiǎnchá)** is deeply embedded in daily life. |
| Compared to the versatile English word "check," which can mean anything from "check a box" to "check in a hotel," 检查 is specifically about inspection and examination. For example, in the West, a boss might casually say, "I'll check on your progress." In a Chinese workplace, a manager might formally announce, "明天我要来检查你们的工作" (Míngtiān wǒ yào lái jiǎnchá nǐmen de gōngzuò - "Tomorrow I am coming to inspect your work"). This implies a more structured review, not just a casual look. | Compared to Western cultures, the frequency and visibility of checks in China can be surprising. For instance, the **安全检查 (ānquán jiǎnchá)**, or security check, is a standard procedure not just at airports but also for entering subways, train stations, and even some public museums and squares. This isn't just about security; it reflects a societal value placed on collective safety and prevention. While a Westerner might view this as an inconvenience or an invasion of privacy, in China it's largely accepted as a normal and necessary part of ensuring public order. |
| This value is especially visible in: | Similarly, mandatory health **检查 (jiǎnchá)**, often called **体检 (tǐjiǎn)**, are common for university enrollment and many jobs. This stems from a pragmatic approach to public health management. In the workplace or school, a manager or teacher **检查 (jiǎnchá)** work is a sign of diligence and responsibility, ensuring standards are met. It's a key part of a system that values accountability and collective progress. |
| * **Health:** The annual physical **身体检查 (shēntǐ jiǎnchá)** is a deeply ingrained concept, seen as a crucial responsibility for maintaining health. | |
| * **Safety & Security:** Rigorous security checks (**安全检查 - ānquán jiǎnchá**) at airports and train stations are accepted as a necessary part of public life. | |
| * **Education:** Teachers regularly **检查作业 (jiǎnchá zuòyè)**, or check homework, reinforcing the importance of diligence and correctness. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== |
| 检查 is a high-frequency word used in both formal and everyday situations. Its meaning is consistent, but the context dictates the specific type of inspection. | **检查 (jiǎnchá)** is a versatile word used in many modern contexts, shifting from a verb ("to check") to a noun ("an inspection/examination"). |
| * **Medical Context:** This is one of the most common uses. It can refer to a general check-up or a specific examination. | * **Medical Context:** This is one of the most common uses. It can refer to a specific test or a full check-up. |
| * **Security Context:** Used for any kind of security screening, from airports to building entrances. | * As a verb: 医生要**检查**我的心脏。(Yīshēng yào jiǎnchá wǒ de xīnzàng.) - The doctor needs to check my heart. |
| * **Academic Context:** Teachers checking homework, exams, or students checking their own answers. | * As a noun: 我每年都做一次身体**检查**。(Wǒ měi nián dōu zuò yí cì shēntǐ jiǎnchá.) - I do a physical examination once every year. |
| * **Workplace/Technical Context:** Managers inspecting processes, or engineers examining equipment to ensure it's functioning correctly. | * **Security and Official Context:** You will encounter this constantly when traveling or entering official buildings in China. |
| * **As a Noun:** 检查 can also mean "an inspection" or "an examination." For example, "这次检查很严格" (zhè cì jiǎnchá hěn yángé) - "This inspection was very strict." | * Example: 请把您的包放在这里，我们要**检查**一下。(Qǐng bǎ nín de bāo fàng zài zhèlǐ, wǒmen yào jiǎnchá yíxià.) - Please put your bag here, we need to do a check. |
| | * **Academic and Work Context:** This refers to reviewing work for correctness and quality. |
| | * Example: 老师正在**检查**我们的作业。(Lǎoshī zhèngzài jiǎnchá wǒmen de zuòyè.) - The teacher is checking our homework. |
| | * **General Daily Life:** Used for checking almost anything to ensure it's in a proper state. |
| | * Example: 出门前，**检查**一下水电煤气。(Chūmén qián, jiǎnchá yíxià shuǐ diàn méiqì.) - Before leaving the house, check the water, electricity, and gas. |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | ===== Example Sentences ===== |
| * **Example 1:** (Medical Check-up) | * **Example 1:** |
| * 我每年都做一次身体**检查**。 | * 医生给我做了一个全面的**检查**。 |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ měi nián dōu zuò yī cì shēntǐ **jiǎnchá**. | * Pinyin: Yīshēng gěi wǒ zuò le yí ge quánmiàn de **jiǎnchá**. |
| * English: I get a physical check-up once every year. | * English: The doctor gave me a comprehensive examination. |
| * Analysis: Here, 身体检查 (shēntǐ jiǎnchá) is a set phrase for a physical examination or check-up. 检查 acts as a noun. | * Analysis: Here, **检查** is used as a noun meaning "examination." The adjective 全面 (quánmiàn - comprehensive) describes the noun. This is a very common phrase in a medical setting. |
| * **Example 2:** (Security Check) | * **Example 2:** |
| * 进地铁站以前，所有人都需要通过安全**检查**。 | * 进地铁站需要**检查**行李。 |
| * Pinyin: Jìn dìtiě zhàn yǐqián, suǒyǒu rén dōu xūyào tōngguò ānquán **jiǎnchá**. | * Pinyin: Jìn dìtiězhàn xūyào **jiǎnchá** xíngli. |
| * English: Before entering the subway station, everyone needs to go through a security check. | * English: You need to have your luggage inspected when entering the subway station. |
| * Analysis: 安全检查 (ānquán jiǎnchá) is the standard term for a security check. Here again, 检查 is used as a noun. | * Analysis: **检查** is a verb here, "to inspect." This sentence describes a routine, mandatory action familiar to anyone who has used public transport in China. |
| * **Example 3:** (Doctor Examining Patient) | * **Example 3:** |
| * 医生正在给病人**检查**喉咙。 | * 老师正在**检查**我们的作业。 |
| * Pinyin: Yīshēng zhèngzài gěi bìngrén **jiǎnchá** hóulóng. | * Pinyin: Lǎoshī zhèngzài **jiǎnchá** wǒmen de zuòyè. |
| * English: The doctor is examining the patient's throat. | * English: The teacher is currently checking our homework. |
| * Analysis: In this sentence, 检查 is a verb. It shows a specific action of examination. | * Analysis: This demonstrates the academic use of **检查**. The particle 正在 (zhèngzài) indicates the action is in progress. It implies checking for mistakes, not just looking at it. |
| * **Example 4:** (Checking Homework) | * **Example 4:** |
| * 老师每天都**检查**我们的作业。 | * 出门前，请**检查**门窗是否关好。 |
| * Pinyin: Lǎoshī měitiān dōu **jiǎnchá** wǒmen de zuòyè. | * Pinyin: Chūmén qián, qǐng **jiǎnchá** ménchuāng shìfǒu guān hǎo. |
| * English: The teacher checks our homework every day. | * English: Before you go out, please check if the doors and windows are closed properly. |
| * Analysis: A classic example of 检查 in an academic context. It implies checking for completeness and correctness. | * Analysis: A great example of everyday usage. The structure "检查 + [Object] + 是否 + [Condition]" (check if [Object] is [Condition]) is very useful for beginners. |
| * **Example 5:** (Checking for Errors) | * **Example 5:** |
| * 发送邮件之前，请仔细**检查**一下有没有错别字。 | * 这次**检查**发现了一些问题。 |
| * Pinyin: Fāsòng yóujiàn zhīqián, qǐng zǐxì **jiǎnchá** yīxià yǒu méiyǒu cuòbiézì. | * Pinyin: Zhè cì **jiǎnchá** fāxiàn le yìxiē wèntí. |
| * English: Before sending the email, please carefully check for any typos. | * English: This inspection revealed some problems. |
| * Analysis: The phrase 检查一下 (jiǎnchá yīxià) slightly softens the formality, making it a polite request to "give it a check." | * Analysis: **检查** is a noun, "inspection." It acts as the subject of the sentence. The phrase "发现问题 (fāxiàn wèntí)" means "to find problems" and often follows an inspection. |
| * **Example 6:** (Police Inspection) | * **Example 6:** |
| * 警察要求**检查**我的身份证。 | * 我需要把车送去**检查**一下。 |
| * Pinyin: Jǐngchá yāoqiú **jiǎnchá** wǒ de shēnfènzhèng. | * Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào bǎ chē sòng qù **jiǎnchá** yíxià. |
| * English: The police officer requested to inspect my ID card. | * English: I need to take my car in for a check-up. |
| * Analysis: This usage highlights the formal, authoritative nature of 检查. | * Analysis: The "把 (bǎ)" construction is used to bring the object (车, chē) before the verb (**检查**). "一下 (yíxià)" softens the tone, making it sound like a quick or routine check. |
| * **Example 7:** (Technical Inspection) | * **Example 7:** |
| * 工人正在**检查**机器是否正常工作。 | * 你能帮我**检查**一下代码吗？ |
| * Pinyin: Gōngrén zhèngzài **jiǎnchá** jīqì shìfǒu zhèngcháng gōngzuò. | * Pinyin: Nǐ néng bāng wǒ **jiǎnchá** yíxià dàimǎ ma? |
| * English: The worker is inspecting the machine to see if it's operating normally. | * English: Can you help me check the code? |
| * Analysis: Shows the use of 检查 in a technical or industrial context, focusing on function and safety. | * Analysis: This shows its use in a modern, technical context. Asking someone to **检查代码 (jiǎnchá dàimǎ)** means asking them to perform a code review, looking for bugs or errors. |
| * **Example 8:** (Self-Check) | * **Example 8:** |
| * 出门前，我总会**检查**门窗是否都关好了。 | * 我要写一份自我**检查**。 |
| * Pinyin: Chūmén qián, wǒ zǒng huì **jiǎnchá** ménchuāng shìfǒu dōu guān hǎo le. | * Pinyin: Wǒ yào xiě yí fèn zìwǒ **jiǎnchá**. |
| * English: Before leaving the house, I always check whether the doors and windows are all closed properly. | * English: I need to write a self-criticism report. |
| * Analysis: A very practical, everyday use of 检查 for personal verification. | * Analysis: This is a very specific, formal usage. A 自我检查 (zìwǒ jiǎnchá) is a formal document of self-reflection or self-criticism, often required in institutional or organizational settings after a mistake has been made. |
| * **Example 9:** (As a Noun - Inspection Results) | * **Example 9:** |
| * **检查**结果下周出来。 | * 过海关时，他们**检查**了我的护照。 |
| * Pinyin: **Jiǎnchá** jiéguǒ xià zhōu chūlái. | * Pinyin: Guò hǎiguān shí, tāmen **jiǎnchá** le wǒ de hùzhào. |
| * English: The examination results will be out next week. | * English: When going through customs, they checked my passport. |
| * Analysis: Here, 检查 is part of the noun phrase 检查结果 (jiǎnchá jiéguǒ), meaning "examination results," typically in a medical context. | * Analysis: **检查** is the perfect verb for official document checks. It implies more than a glance; it's a verification process. |
| * **Example 10:** (Manager Inspecting Work) | * **Example 10:** |
| * 经理今天下午会来**检查**我们的项目进度。 | * 工厂每天都会**检查**产品质量。 |
| * Pinyin: Jīnglǐ jīntiān xiàwǔ huì lái **jiǎnchá** wǒmen de xiàngmù jìndù. | * Pinyin: Gōngchǎng měi tiān dōu huì **jiǎnchá** chǎnpǐn zhìliàng. |
| * English: The manager is coming this afternoon to inspect our project's progress. | * English: The factory inspects product quality every day. |
| * Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 检查 in a professional or business environment, implying a formal review. | * Analysis: This demonstrates its use in quality control. **检查质量 (jiǎnchá zhìliàng)** is a standard phrase in manufacturing and business. |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== |
| * **检查 (jiǎnchá) vs. 看看 (kànkan):** This is a crucial distinction. 看看 means "to take a look" and is very casual. You'd ask a friend, "你帮我看看这篇文章写得怎么样?" (Nǐ bāng wǒ kànkan zhè piān wénzhāng xiě de zěnmeyàng? - "Can you take a look at this article for me?"). Using 检查 here would sound overly formal and strange. Use 检查 for tasks that require a standard of correctness or safety. | * **检查 (jiǎnchá) vs. 看 (kàn):** This is a common point of confusion. **看 (kàn)** just means "to look," "to see," or "to watch." It's casual. You **看**电视 (kàn diànshì - watch TV) and **看**书 (kàn shū - read a book). **检查 (jiǎnchá)** means to inspect with a purpose, to find errors, or to verify a condition. |
| * //Incorrect:// 你帮我**检查**一下我的新发型。 (Sounds like you're asking for a forensic analysis of your hair.) | * **Correct:** 老师，请您**检查**一下我的作文。(Teacher, please check my essay for errors.) |
| * //Correct:// 你帮我**看看**我的新发型。 | * **Informal but OK:** 老师，请您**看**一下我的作文。(Teacher, please take a look at my essay.) |
| * **检查 (jiǎnchá) vs. 查 (chá):** While related, they are not always interchangeable. 查 is often used for "looking up" information. | * **Incorrect:** 我要**检查**那个电影。(I want to inspect that movie.) You should say 我要**看**那个电影。 |
| * You **查**字典 (chá zìdiǎn - look up in a dictionary). | * **检查 (jiǎnchá) vs. 调查 (diàochá):** These are both translated as "check" or "investigate" but are not interchangeable. |
| * You **查**资料 (chá zīliào - look up information/data). | * **检查 (jiǎnchá)** is for inspecting the physical state or correctness of an object, person, or document. (e.g., checking a car engine, checking a passport). |
| * You **检查**作业 (jiǎnchá zuòyè - check homework for errors). You don't "look up" homework. | * **调查 (diàochá)** is for investigating a situation, an incident, or a market to gather information and find out the truth. (e.g., police investigate a case, a company investigates market demand). |
| * **"False Friends" in English:** Do not use 检查 for: | * **Incorrect Usage:** 警察在**检查**这个案件。(The police are inspecting this case.) You should say 警察在**调查**这个案件 (diàochá). |
| * **Checking a box:** Use **打勾 (dǎ gōu)**. | |
| * **Checking in (to a hotel/flight):** Use **办理入住 (bànlǐ rùzhù)** or **值机 (zhí jī)**. | |
| * **Checking out (goods at a store):** Use **结账 (jiézhàng)** or **买单 (mǎidān)**. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== |
| * [[审查]] (shěnchá) - To review or censor. Much more formal and official than 检查, often used for reviewing manuscripts, applications, or internet content for approval. | * [[调查]] (diàochá) - To investigate. More focused on uncovering facts about an event or situation, whereas `检查` focuses on verifying the condition of a thing. |
| * [[调查]] (diàochá) - To investigate or survey. This implies gathering information to understand a situation, like a police investigation or a market research survey. | * [[体检]] (tǐjiǎn) - A physical examination/check-up. A very common, specific term for `身体检查`. It's a compound of `身体` (body) and `检查` (check). |
| * [[检验]] (jiǎnyàn) - To test or verify. This is more technical and scientific, often done in a laboratory to test a sample (e.g., blood test 血检 - xuèjiǎn). | * [[审查]] (shěnchá) - To review, to examine, to censor. More formal and authoritative than `检查`. It implies checking something against a set of official rules, laws, or policies. |
| * [[体检]] (tǐjiǎn) - A common abbreviation for 身体检查 (shēntǐ jiǎnchá), meaning a physical check-up. | * [[核对]] (héduì) - To check (against a list), to verify. Specifically used for comparing two or more pieces of information to ensure they match, like checking a name against a list or numbers in a report. |
| * [[安检]] (ānjiǎn) - A common abbreviation for 安全检查 (ānquán jiǎnchá), meaning a security check. | * [[看]] (kàn) - To look, to see, to watch. The most general and informal verb for using your eyes. It lacks the "systematic" or "purposeful" connotation of `检查`. |
| * [[复查]] (fùchá) - To re-examine or do a follow-up check. Used often in medical contexts for a follow-up appointment after treatment. | * [[复习]] (fùxí) - To review (study material). This is strictly for academic contexts, like reviewing your notes before a test. You `复习` lessons, but you `检查` your answers. |
| * [[核对]] (héduì) - To cross-reference or check against a list. This is used when you have two sets of information (e.g., a name list and the people present) and you are checking that they match. | * [[安全检查]] (ānquán jiǎnchá) - Security check. A fixed phrase you will see and hear everywhere in China. Often abbreviated to **安检 (ānjiǎn)**. |
| * [[查看]] (chákàn) - To look over or view. Often used for viewing information in a system, on a computer screen, or looking at a file. It's less about inspection and more about viewing. | * [[质量]] (zhìliàng) - Quality. The attribute that is often being verified during a product **检查**. |