窥伺

窺伺
kuīsì
verb #91,483

Meanings

  1. 1 to spy upon
  2. 2 to lie in wait for (an opportunity)
  3. 3 to watch covertly

Examples

Díjūn yīzhí zài kuīsì wǒmen de dòngjìng.
The enemy forces have been spying on our movements.
Tā kuīsì duōnián, zhōngyú zhǎodào le xiàshǒu de jīhuì.
After years of lying in wait, he finally found his chance to strike.

Tips

register
Negative connotation — strongly suggests bad intent (spying, plotting, predatory waiting). Don't use it for innocent observation. Both characters carry the 'covert watching' sense: 'peep' + 'wait and watch'.

Stroke Order

kuī