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.
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 yánjiūshēng.
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.
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.