查

• Pinyin: chá
• Hanzi breakdown: 查 = 木 (wood, top) + phonetic component (bottom); traditionally associated with examining wooden tallies or records

Meaning

To check; to look up; to investigate. Used for searching information or examining something.

A versatile verb used for looking up words in a dictionary, checking information online, investigating facts, or inspecting things. Common in both casual and professional settings.

Examples

1. 我需要查一个字的意思。 I need to look up the meaning of a character.
2. 你可以在网上查一下。 You can look it up online.
3. 老师让我们查字典。 The teacher told us to look it up in the dictionary.

Usage Guide

Context: studying, research, everyday information seeking

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 我查了一下，明天是晴天。(I checked — tomorrow will be sunny.)
• 不认识的字要查字典。(Look up unfamiliar characters in the dictionary.)

Don't Say

• Do not confuse 查 (chá, to check) with 茶 (chá, tea) — same pronunciation but completely different meanings and characters.

Origin & History

Phono-semantic compound. Historically related to examining or investigating. The character combines elements suggesting inspection of records.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal