审视

• Pinyin: shěn shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 审 = 宀+ 番 (examine); 视 = 礻+ 见 (see, regard)

Meaning

To scrutinise; to examine carefully; to look at something with close, critical attention.

Implies a deliberate and penetrating act of observation, often used when re-evaluating ideas, reflecting on oneself, or critically examining a situation. Common in literary, academic, and introspective contexts. Often used with 自我 to form 自我审视 (self-scrutiny).

Examples

1. 他静静地审视着墙上挂着的那幅父亲留下的老照片。 He quietly studied the old photo of his father hanging on the wall.
2. 社会学家需要用批判的眼光审视现有的社会结构与制度。 Sociologists need to examine existing social structures and institutions with a critical eye.
3. 经历了这次失败后，她开始深刻地审视自己过去的决策方式。 After this failure, she began to take a hard, deep look at how she had been making decisions.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, philosophy, self-reflection, academia

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 改革开放四十年后，我们有必要重新审视这段历史对当代社会的深刻影响。(Forty years after reform and opening up, it is necessary to re-examine the profound influence of this period on contemporary society.)
• 他以冷静的目光审视着对手的每一个细微动作，伺机而动。(He scrutinised every subtle move of his opponent with a calm gaze, waiting for the right moment to act.)

Don't Say

• 审视 for casual glancing — it implies sustained, critical observation; use 看 or 瞧 for an ordinary look

Origin & History

审 (examine) + 视 (look at, regard)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal