探 (tàn) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 探 (tàn) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 探 (tàn) means "to explore / to visit / to probe". It is an HSK Level 6 character, with 11 strokes and the radical 扌.

Q: How do you write 探 stroke by stroke?

探 has 11 strokes. The radical is 扌. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 探 and 拜?

探 (tàn) and 拜 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 探?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 扌. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 探?

Common words containing 探 include: 探望 (tàn wàng) — to visit (someone); 探索 (tàn suǒ) — to explore / to probe; 探听 (tàn tīng) — to fish for information / to snoop.

How to Write 探

The character 探 (tàn) is written with 11 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 扌 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

探 is pronounced tàn in Mandarin Chinese. It means to explore / to visit / to probe.

As an HSK Level 6 character, 探 is an intermediate-level character.

Common Words with 探

探望 tàn wàng

to visit (someone)

探索 tàn suǒ

to explore / to probe

探听 tàn tīng

to fish for information / to snoop

Example Sentences

我去探望生病的朋友。

wǒ qù tàn wàng shēng bìng de péng yǒu

I'm going to visit a sick friend.

我们在探索宇宙。

wǒ men zài tàn suǒ yǔ zhòu

We are exploring the universe.

他在探听消息。

tā zài tàn tīng xiāo xī

He is fishing for information.

Similar Characters

拜 bài

括 kuò

拭 shì

Practice Writing 探 (tàn)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 探 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 探

What does 探 (tàn) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 探 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 探 and 拜?

What mistakes do learners make writing 探?

What common words use 探?

How to Write 探 (tàn)