勘探

kāntàn

verb HSK 7 #30,516

Meanings

1 to prospect; to explore (for natural resources)
2 to survey; to do geological exploration

Characters

to survey; to investigate

to explore; to probe

Both characters mean to investigate or explore — together they specifically refer to geological or resource exploration.

Examples

勘探队在沙漠里发现了石油。

Kāntànduì zài shāmò lǐ fāxiàn le shíyóu.

The exploration team discovered oil in the desert.

这片地区正在进行矿产勘探。

Zhè piàn dìqū zhèngzài jìnxíng kuàngchǎn kāntàn.

Mineral prospecting is being carried out in this area.

Stroke Order

勘 kān

探 tàn