The Chinese word 考察 (kǎochá) is a compound term formed by combining two semantically related characters: 考, which originally meant "to examine" or "to investigate" (as in verifying facts), and 察, which means "to observe carefully" or "to scrutinize" (focusing on detailed inspection). Together, they create a synergistic meaning that is greater than the sum of its parts, referring to a formal, thorough, and systematic investigation or inspection, often involving fieldwork, research, or an on-site review to gain a deep understanding of a situation, project, or person. This formation follows a common pattern in Chinese where two characters with similar or complementary meanings are paired to create a more precise and nuanced concept.