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

The character 勘 is a phono-semantic compound, combining the semantic radical 力, which denotes power or effort, with the phonetic component 甚 on the left. It fundamentally means to investigate, survey, or examine. The inclusion of the strength radical reflects the physical rigor historically required for fieldwork, boundary verification, or thorough evidence review. This meaning extends to the meticulous collation or correction of texts against source materials, illustrating its use in both practical exploration and detailed intellectual scrutiny.

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