How to Write 究 (jiū) — Meaning “To investigate”

Imagine a person holding a flashlight and entering a cave (穴) to investigate what is inside. The number nine (九) below can remind you that the investigation takes nine steps or is very thorough. This visual helps connect the components to the meaning of investigating.

When writing 究, first write the radical 穴: the top dot, then the cover, then the two inner dots. The bottom part 九 starts with a left stroke, then a right hook stroke, and ends with a long horizontal stroke that extends slightly to the right. Be careful not to make the bottom part too wide; the overall shape should be balanced.

穴 is the radical alone, meaning 'cave', while 究 adds the bottom part 九 for sound and meaning. 穵 (wā) looks similar but has a different bottom part (乙 instead of 九) and means 'to dig'. Focus on the bottom: 究 has 九 (nine), 穵 has a curved stroke like a hook.

究 appears in common words like 研究 (yánjiū, to research) and 究竟 (jiūjìng, after all/exactly). It is used in formal and academic contexts to indicate deep investigation or finding out the truth. For example, you might say '这件事究竟是怎么回事?' to ask 'What exactly is going on here?'.

Common words containing 究 include: 研究 (yán jiū) — To research / To study; 究竟 (jiū jìng) — After all / exactly; 讲究 (jiǎng jiū) — To be particular about / Exquisite.