侦查 zhēnchá to detect
to detect; to investigate
How to remember 侦查: 侦 to spy + 查 to check = to detect.
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How it is used
- To investigate (a crime), conduct detection - 警方正在侦查此案 (jǐngfāng zhèngzài zhēnchá cǐ àn) police are investigating the case.
- Legal/police term for criminal investigation; note it takes 案件 (cases), 犯罪.
- Trap: distinguish from 侦察 (zhēnchá, military/scouting reconnaissance); 侦查 is judicial crime investigation, 侦察 is reconnoitering the enemy/terrain.