勘

kān

力 + 甚

Definitions

kān (verb) to investigate; to survey

kān (verb) to collate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 力 represents the meaning and 甚 represents the sound.

Semantic: 力 Phonetic: 甚

About

勘 is a phono-semantic compound, with 力 (strength, physical effort) as the semantic component and 甚 as the phonetic. It primarily means to investigate, survey, examine, or explore. The presence of 力 highlights the physical exertion and rigorous effort that such tasks traditionally demanded, whether in carrying out field surveys, verifying geographical boundaries, or conducting thorough cross-examinations in legal contexts. This basic notion of careful scrutiny later extended to the meticulous collation and correction of texts by checking them against original sources. Thus, the character spans both physical investigation and intellectual verification, unified by the idea of diligent effort.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们准备勘察现场。

Wǒmen zhǔnbèi kānchá xiànchǎng.

We are preparing to survey the site.

勘测队发现了新资源。

Kāncè duì fāxiànle xīn zīyuán.

The survey team discovered new resources.

这本书需要勘误。

Zhè běn shū xūyào kānwù.

This book needs error correction.

他们勘探石油多年。

Tāmen kāntàn shíyóu duō nián.

They have been exploring for oil for many years.

地质学家正在勘测地震带。

Dìzhìxuéjiā zhèngzài kāncè dìzhèndài.

Geologists are surveying the earthquake zone.

在开工之前，必须仔细勘察环境。

Zài kāigōng zhīqián, bìxū zǐxì kānchá huánjìng.

Before starting construction, it is necessary to carefully survey the environment.

专家们勘定了新的边界线。

Zhuānjiāmen kāndìngle xīn de biānjièxiàn.

The experts demarcated the new border line.

通过精密仪器勘测，他们获得了准确的数据。

Tōngguò jīngmì yíqì kāncè, tāmen huòdéle zhǔnquè de shùjù.

Through precise instrument surveying, they obtained accurate data.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 力

Component: 甚

勘