探亲

• Pinyin: tàn qīn
• Hanzi breakdown: 探 = 扌+ 罙; 亲 = 亠 + 立 + 木 (simplified from 親)

Meaning

To visit relatives. Making a trip specifically to see family members.

A formal term for visiting family, especially when traveling some distance. Often used in contexts like 探亲假 (family visit leave) for workers or soldiers. Implies meaningful reunion rather than casual visits.

Examples

1. 今年春节他终于请到探亲假，可以回老家看看父母了。 This Spring Festival he finally got family visit leave and can go back home to see his parents.
2. 部队规定每年有一次探亲假，时间大概两周左右。 Military regulations allow one family visit leave per year, lasting about two weeks.
3. 她出国留学三年了，这次回来探亲特别激动。 She's been studying abroad for three years — she was especially emotional coming back to visit family this time.

Usage Guide

Context: work leave, military, travel

Tone: official

Do Say

• 他请了探亲假。(He took family visit leave.)
• 回国探亲一趟不容易。(Making a trip home to visit family isn't easy.)

Don't Say

• 把日常串门说成'探亲' (探亲 implies traveling some distance — for nearby casual visits, just say 串门 or 看望)

Origin & History

探 means to visit, 亲 means relatives or family. Together: to visit relatives.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal