探子

tànzi

noun #19,463

Measure Word

一个探子 gè

Meanings

1 spy
2 scout
3 intelligence gatherer
4 detective

Characters

to explore; to spy; to investigate

noun suffix; person

Examples

将军派了几个探子去打探敌情。

Jiāngjūn pài le jǐ gè tànzi qù dǎtan díqíng.

The general sent several scouts to gather intelligence on the enemy.

探子回来报告说敌军已经撤退了。

Tànzi huílái bàogào shuō díjūn yǐjīng chètuì le.

The scout returned and reported that the enemy had retreated.

Tips

usage

探子 has a classical/historical flavor, mostly used in period dramas and literature. In modern contexts, 间谍 (jiàndié) for 'spy' or 侦察兵 (zhēnchábīng) for 'scout' is more common.

Stroke Order

探 tàn

子 zǐ