Definition
勘探 (kān tàn) is a technical term meaning 'to explore, survey, or prospect' specifically for natural resources like oil, minerals, and gas. It is more specialized than the general 探索 (tàn suǒ 'to explore, probe') and 探 (tàn 'to explore, scout'), and unlike 探险 (tàn xiǎn 'to go on an adventure') it implies systematic, professional surveying.
verb
to exploreto surveyto prospect (for natural resources such as oil, minerals, etc.)
Examples
- 勘探。Shíyóu gōngsī zhèngzài hǎidǐ kān tàn xīn de yóutián.The oil company is exploring new oil fields on the seabed.
- 勘探，。Jīngguò chūbù kān tàn, zhuānjiā rènwéi zhèlǐ yǒu fēngfù de kuàngchǎn zīyuán.After preliminary surveying, experts believe there are abundant mineral resources here.
- 勘探。Dìzhì duì yòng le sān nián shíjiān kān tàn zhè piàn shānqū.The geological team spent three years prospecting this mountain area.
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