调查 — meaning in English: survey

diàochá · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for investigation

其他

qítā

调查

diàochá

常态

chángtài

此人

cǐ rén

危害

wéihài

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Mandarin Chinese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

formal common

Usage

Native speakers often use '调查' (diàochá) in formal contexts, such as academic research, market analysis, and public opinion polling. For instance, a university student might conduct a '调查' to gather data for a thesis, or a company might launch a customer satisfaction '调查' to improve its services.

Synonyms & nuances

'调查' is often used in formal research contexts, while '询问' (xúnwèn), meaning to inquire, is more casual and focuses on asking questions. Choose '调查' when you refer to structured data gathering, whereas '询问' is more suited for informal inquiries.

Culture

'调查' comprises two characters: '调' (tiáo), meaning adjustment or regulation, and '查' (chá), meaning to check or investigate. This reflects the essence of the word—monitoring or assessing opinions, behaviors, or conditions. Historically, surveys have played a pivotal role in Chinese governance, dating back to the imperial era when rulers sought to understand their subjects' needs.

FAQ

Q.What does 调查 mean in English?

'调查' translates to 'survey' or 'investigation' in English, referring to a systematic method of gathering information.

Q.How do you use 调查 in a sentence?

For example, you might say, '我正在进行一项市场调查' (Wǒ zhèngzài jìnxíng yī xiàng shìchǎng diàochá), which means 'I am conducting a market survey.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes with 调查?

A common mistake is using '调查' for casual questions; instead, reserve it for formal research contexts. For casual inquiries, prefer '询问' (xúnwèn).

Learn mandarin chinese with Maspeak →

Chinese (Mandarin) 2000