察 chá — examine, observe · English

察

chá

examine, observe

At a glance · 察

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

小篆从宀祭声，形声字，本指仔细看、辨别。隶楷作「察」。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「察」本指审视详究，引申为观察、觉察。

Structure

形声字，宀为意符，祭为声符。

At a glance

Pinyinchá

Radical宀

Strokes14

UnicodeU+5BDF

Character type形声

Theme动作

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English examine, observe To examine, observe closely; perceive.

Français examiner, observer Examiner, observer attentivement; percevoir.

Español examinar, observar Examinar, observar atentamente; percibir.

العربية يفحص، يراقب يفحص أو يراقب أو يدرك.

Русский наблюдать, замечать Рассматривать, наблюдать; замечать, постигать.

Common words

观察guān cháobserve
察觉chá juéperceive

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