侦 zhēn to spy
to spy; to reconnoiter; detective
How to remember 侦: 亻 person + 贞 virtuous = to spy. The nosy person next door insists it is virtuous to watch the street, but the neighbours know she only wants to spy.
Component breakdown
侦 = 亻 person + 贞 virtuous
- 亻 person
- 贞 virtuous
The nosy person next door insists it is virtuous to watch the street, but the neighbours know she only wants to spy.
How it is used
- To investigate/spy/detect - 侦探 (zhēntàn) detective, 侦查 (zhēnchá) to investigate (a crime), 侦察 (zhēnchá) to reconnoiter (military scouting).
- Note the near-homophone pair: 侦查 = criminal investigation, 侦察 = military/scouting reconnaissance - same pinyin, different 查/察 and use.
- Register is official/technical (police, military, spy fiction).