Definition
探测 (tàn cè) means 'to probe or survey' in a scientific, technical context — it is used when instruments or equipment systematically investigate an unknown or remote environment (e.g., the deep sea, outer space, underground). It is more specific to scientific fieldwork than 探索 (tàn suǒ), which can also include intellectual exploration, and it is broader than 勘探 (kān tàn), which focuses on prospecting natural resources like oil or minerals.
verb
to probeto survey (especially for scientific or exploratory purposes)
Examples
- 探测。Kēxuéjiā yòng wèixīng tàn cè yuèqiú biǎomiàn de kuàngwù chéngfèn.Scientists use satellites to probe the mineral composition of the lunar surface.
- 探测。Tāmen shǐyòng tèshū shèbèi tàn cè shēnhǎi zhōng de wèizhī shēngwù.They use special equipment to survey unknown organisms in the deep sea.
- 探测，。Zhè piàn qūyù hái méiyǒu bèi tàn cè guò, xūyào jìnyíbù yánjiū.This area has not been surveyed yet and requires further research.
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