====== yánjiū: 研究 - to Research, to Study ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** yanjiu, 研究, Chinese research, how to say research in Chinese, study in Chinese, investigate in Chinese, yanjiu meaning, 研究 meaning, Chinese verb for study, academic Chinese, HSK 4
  * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **研究 (yánjiū)**, which means "to research" or "to study" in a deep, systematic way. This page breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical use in academic, business, and even everyday contexts. Discover how **研究 (yánjiū)** is different from the general word for studying, `学习 (xuéxí)`, and master its use with over 10 example sentences, making it a key term for anyone wanting to discuss science, academia, or in-depth analysis in Mandarin Chinese.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yánjiū
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 4
  * **Concise Definition:** To systematically investigate or study a subject in detail; the act of such investigation or study.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **研究 (yánjiū)** is the word for serious, focused inquiry. It's much more than just "looking something up." Think of a scientist in a lab, a PhD student writing a dissertation, or a company analyzing market trends—they are all doing **研究 (yánjiū)**. The word implies a deep, methodical process of drilling down into a topic to uncover facts, patterns, or solutions. It carries a sense of formality, thoroughness, and intellectual effort.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **研 (yán):** This character's left side is **石 (shí)**, meaning "stone." The right side hints at grinding. The original meaning of **研** was to grind or polish something, like a stone, until it was smooth. This meaning evolved metaphorically to mean "to study in detail" or "to examine thoroughly"—as if you are grinding away at a problem to get to its smooth, clear core.
  * **究 (jiū):** The top part of this character is **穴 (xué)**, which means "cave" or "hole." The bottom part is phonetic. **究** means to investigate or to get to the bottom of something. The image of exploring a deep cave perfectly captures the essence of a thorough investigation into the unknown.
  * When you combine **研 (to grind/examine)** and **究 (to investigate deeply)**, you get **研究 (yánjiū)**: a powerful term that signifies a profound, meticulous, and exhaustive pursuit of knowledge.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * In Chinese culture, there is a deep and historical reverence for education, scholarship, and expertise. The scholar-official was the pinnacle of the ancient social hierarchy. **研究 (yánjiū)** is a modern embodiment of this value, representing the serious pursuit of knowledge that is highly respected in society.
  * **Comparison with Western Concepts:** A key difference for learners is distinguishing **研究 (yánjiū)** from the English word "study." In English, you can say "I'm studying for my history test." If you translated this using **研究**, it would sound strange and overly academic, as if you were conducting a linguistic or historical analysis of the test itself.
    *   **研究 (yánjiū)** is like **"research"** or **"investigation"** in an academic or professional sense.
    *   For general learning or "studying for a test," the correct word is **[[学习]] (xuéxí)**.
  * This distinction highlights the value placed on the *type* and *depth* of intellectual effort. **研究 (yánjiū)** isn't just about absorbing information (**学习**); it's about creating new knowledge or insights through rigorous analysis.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **Academic and Scientific Contexts:** This is the most common usage. It's used for any formal research.
    *   `科学研究 (kēxué yánjiū)` - Scientific research
    *   `学术研究 (xuéshù yánjiū)` - Academic research
    *   `研究生 (yánjiūshēng)` - Graduate student (literally, a "research student")
  * **Business and Professional Contexts:** Used for analysis and investigation.
    *   `市场研究 (shìchǎng yánjiū)` - Market research
    *   `我们开会研究一下这个方案。 (Wǒmen kāihuì yánjiū yíxià zhège fāng'àn.)` - Let's have a meeting to study/discuss this plan. Here, it implies a serious discussion, not just a casual chat.
  * **Informal but Serious Connotation:** You can use **研究** in daily life to show you are taking a problem seriously.
    *   `这道菜怎么做？我得研究一下食谱。 (Zhè dào cài zěnme zuò? Wǒ děi yánjiū yíxià shípǔ.)` - How do you make this dish? I need to study the recipe carefully. This implies more than a quick glance.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 他毕生都在**研究**中国历史。
    * Pinyin: Tā bìshēng dōu zài **yánjiū** Zhōngguó lìshǐ.
    * English: He has spent his entire life researching Chinese history.
    * Analysis: This shows **研究** as a verb for a long-term, academic pursuit.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 这项**研究**发表在了顶尖的科学期刊上。
    * Pinyin: Zhè xiàng **yánjiū** fābiǎo zài le dǐngjiān de kēxué qīkān shàng.
    * English: This research was published in a top scientific journal.
    * Analysis: Here, **研究** is used as a noun to refer to the body of work or the findings.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 我们公司的市场部正在**研究**竞争对手。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī de shìchǎngbù zhèngzài **yánjiū** jìngzhēng duìshǒu.
    * English: Our company's marketing department is currently researching competitors.
    * Analysis: A common usage in a business context, implying systematic analysis.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 这个问题很复杂，让我**研究**一下再答复你。
    * Pinyin: Zhège wèntí hěn fùzá, ràng wǒ **yánjiū** yíxià zài dáfù nǐ.
    * English: This problem is very complex, let me look into it and get back to you.
    * Analysis: A slightly more formal, figurative use. It shows you're giving the problem serious thought, not just a quick answer.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 她的**研究**方向是人工智能。
    * Pinyin: Tā de **yánjiū** fāngxiàng shì réngōng zhìnéng.
    * English: Her area of research is artificial intelligence.
    * Analysis: **研究** used as a noun to define an academic specialization.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 经过多年的**研究**，他终于**研究**出了治疗这种病的方法。
    * Pinyin: Jīngguò duōnián de **yánjiū**, tā zhōngyú **yánjiū** chū le zhìliáo zhè zhǒng bìng de fāngfǎ.
    * English: After many years of research, he finally developed (researched out) a method to treat this disease.
    * Analysis: This example cleverly uses **研究** first as a noun ("research") and then as a verb with a result complement `出 (chū)`, meaning to produce something through research.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 你在**研究**什么新课题吗？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ zài **yánjiū** shénme xīn kètí ma?
    * English: Are you researching any new topics/projects?
    * Analysis: A common question you might ask a colleague or a fellow student in a university setting.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 我哥哥考上了北京大学的**研究**生。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ gēge kǎo shàng le Běijīng Dàxué de **yánjiū**shēng.
    * English: My older brother was accepted as a graduate student at Peking University.
    * Analysis: Shows how **研究** is the root of the word for "graduate student," highlighting the research-focused nature of graduate studies.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 这个领域还缺乏深入的**研究**。
    * Pinyin: Zhège lǐngyù hái quēfá shēnrù de **yánjiū**.
    * English: This field still lacks in-depth research.
    * Analysis: Using **研究** as a noun to talk about the state of knowledge in a particular field.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 让我们一起**研究**一下这份合同的条款。
    * Pinyin: Ràng wǒmen yìqǐ **yánjiū** yíxià zhè fèn hétong de tiáokuǎn.
    * English: Let's study the terms of this contract together.
    * Analysis: In a legal or business context, **研究** means to examine carefully and critically, not just to read.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **The Golden Rule: `研究 (yánjiū)` vs. `学习 (xuéxí)`**
    * This is the most common pitfall for learners. Use **[[学习]] (xuéxí)** for general learning, studying for a class, or acquiring a skill. Use **研究 (yánjiū)** for formal, deep investigation to produce new knowledge.
    * **Correct:** 我每天**学习**一个小时中文。 (Wǒ měitiān **xuéxí** yí ge xiǎoshí Zhōngwén.) - I study Chinese for an hour every day.
    * **Incorrect:** 我每天**研究**一个小时中文。 - This sounds like you are a professional linguist conducting formal research on the Chinese language every day. It's grammatically correct but contextually very strange for a language learner.
  * **`研究 (yánjiū)` vs. "Look it up"**
    * For a quick search, like on Google or in a dictionary, do not use **研究**. The correct verb is **[[查]] (chá)**.
    * **Correct:** 我用手机**查一下**这个词的意思。 (Wǒ yòng shǒujī **chá yíxià** zhège cí de yìsi.) - I'll use my phone to look up the meaning of this word.
    * **Incorrect:** 我用手机**研究**一下这个词的意思。- This sounds comical, as if you're launching a major investigation into a single word using your phone.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[学习]] (xuéxí)** - To study, to learn. The general-purpose word for acquiring knowledge or skills; a much broader and more common term than `研究`.
  * **[[调查]] (diàochá)** - To investigate, to survey. Focuses more on gathering facts from the real world, like a police investigation, a journalist's report, or a customer survey.
  * **[[分析]] (fēnxī)** - To analyze. A key action performed *during* the process of `研究`. You `分析` data in order to conduct your `研究`.
  * **[[探讨]] (tàntǎo)** - To explore, to inquire into. Similar to `研究`, but often implies a more collaborative or discussion-based exploration of a topic rather than a solitary, formal research project.
  * **[[考察]] (kǎochá)** - To inspect, to investigate on-site. Involves a physical trip to a place for investigation, like inspecting a factory's conditions or conducting geological fieldwork.
  * **[[研究生]] (yánjiūshēng)** - Graduate student. A student whose primary purpose is to conduct `研究`.
  * **[[研究所]] (yánjiūsuǒ)** - Research institute/center. A place dedicated to `研究`.
  * **[[学术]] (xuéshù)** - Academic, scholarship. The broader field to which `研究` belongs.