刺探

cìtàn

verb #23,062

Meanings

1 to pry into
2 to spy on
3 to probe
4 to ferret out (information)

Characters

to stab; to prick; to pierce

to probe; to explore; to investigate

Examples

他试图刺探公司的商业机密。

Tā shìtú cìtàn gōngsī de shāngyè jīmì.

He attempted to spy on the company's trade secrets.

间谍被派去刺探敌方情报。

Jiàndié bèi pài qù cìtàn dífāng qíngbào.

The spy was sent to probe enemy intelligence.

Tips

usage

刺探 implies covert, often unwelcome probing. It is used for intelligence gathering, eavesdropping, or intruding into private matters. Compare 打探 (dǎtàn), which can be more neutral (making inquiries).

Stroke Order

刺 cì

探 tàn