侦探
Traditional: 偵探
zhēn tàn HSK 6

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

这位侦探破获了许多案件。
Zhè wèi zhēntàn pòhuò le xǔduō ànjiàn.
This detective solved many cases.
侦探小说在中国很受欢迎。
Zhēntàn xiǎoshuō zài Zhōngguó hěn shòu huānyíng.
Detective novels are very popular in China.
他雇佣侦探调查此事。
Tā gùyōng zhēntàn diàochá cǐ shì.
He hired a detective to investigate this matter.
他是侦探。
Tā shì zhēntàn.
He is a detective.
侦探很聪明。
Zhēntàn hěn cōngmíng.
The detective is very smart.

💡 Memory Tip

Break the word into parts: 侦 (zhēn) sounds like 'zen' in English, suggesting calm investigation, and 探 (tàn) resembles 'tan,' as in 'to probe or explore.' Think of a detective being 'zen' while they 'probe' a case. Alternatively, associate it with famous detectives like Sherlock Holmes, who is called 侦探 in Chinese.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and used in both spoken and written Chinese. Common contexts include crime stories, news reports, legal settings, and everyday discussions about investigations. It is less formal than alternatives like 调查员 (diàocháyuán, investigator) but more specific than general terms for police.

📖 Grammar Points

As a noun, 侦探 can function as a subject or object in sentences, e.g., '侦探调查案件' (The detective investigates the case). It can also modify other nouns, as in 侦探小说 (detective novel). No special grammatical structures are required; it follows standard noun usage patterns.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 侦探 is heavily influenced by Western detective fiction, but there is also a growing tradition of domestic detective stories and TV shows. Historically, traditional Chinese tales featured figures like 包拯 (Bāo Zhěng), a judge-detective, but the modern concept aligns more with global crime-solving tropes.

🔄 Similar Words

侦探 differs from 警察 (jǐngchá, police officer), which is a broader term for law enforcement; 侦探 often implies specialized investigative work, sometimes privately hired. It is similar to 调查员 (diàocháyuán, investigator) but 侦探 has a stronger association with crime-solving and mystery, as seen in literature and media.

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