verb / adverb HSK 5
to investigate · to examine thoroughly · after all · actually
Meaning
究 means to investigate or study something deeply and thoroughly. As a standalone character, it often appears in formal or literary contexts meaning 'to get to the bottom of' something. It's commonly seen in compounds related to research and inquiry.
Usage
While 究 can stand alone in classical Chinese or very formal writing, modern Mandarin speakers typically use it in compounds like 研究 (research), 追究 (investigate/hold accountable), or 究竟 (after all/actually). The standalone character is less common in everyday speech but appears in formal writing and questioning contexts.
Examples
- 01这件事我们必须深究。.We must investigate this matter thoroughly.
- 02他终究还是离开了。.He left in the end after all.
Common collocations
- 深究to investigate deeply
- 不究not to investigate/pursue
- 终究in the end, after all
Origin
The character 究 originally depicted going deep into a cave (穴) to explore thoroughly, combining the cave radical with a component suggesting depth and thoroughness.