侦察

• Pinyin: zhēn chá
• Hanzi breakdown: 侦 = 亻+ 贞 (to detect); 察 = 宀 + 祭 (to observe)

Meaning

To reconnoiter; to scout; reconnaissance. Military or intelligence term for gathering information about an enemy or unknown area.

Used in military, police, and espionage contexts. 侦察兵 (scout), 侦察机 (reconnaissance aircraft). Different from 侦查 (criminal investigation) which focuses on legal cases.

Examples

1. 特种部队派出小分队对敌方阵地进行侦察。 Special forces sent out a small team to reconnoiter the enemy’s position.
2. 无人机在执行侦察任务时发现了可疑目标。 While carrying out a reconnaissance mission, the drone spotted a suspicious target.
3. 情报部门加强了对边境地区的侦察工作。 The intelligence department stepped up reconnaissance work along the border.

Usage Guide

Context: military, intelligence, security

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 侦察卫星可以全天候监控地面情况。(Reconnaissance satellites can monitor ground conditions around the clock.)
• 部队出发前必须先完成对行军路线的侦察。(Before the troops set out, reconnaissance of the marching route must be completed.)

Don't Say

• 侦察案件 — use 侦查 (investigation) for criminal cases; 侦察 is for military reconnaissance

Origin & History

侦 (to scout/detect) + 察 (to observe/inspect)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal