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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "to peer into" with 探 (tàn)

    Actions & Events
    Manner & Method

    Structure

    向 + Direction/Location + 探 + 去

    Explanation

    探 (tàn) means "to peer," "to probe," or "to lean forward to look," describing the action of cautiously looking or reaching into a space. It conveys a sense of curiosity or wariness and is often used in narrative descriptions.

    Examples

    • 他悄悄地探出头，看了看外面。

      tā qiāoqiāo de tànchū tóu, kàn le kàn wàimiàn.

      He quietly poked his head out and took a look outside.

    • 她探进房间看了一眼，发现没有人。

      tā tànjìn fángjiān kàn le yì yǎn, fāxiàn méiyǒu rén.

      She peeked into the room and found no one was there.

    • 小猫从箱子里探出了脑袋。

      xiǎo māo cóng xiāngzi lǐ tànchū le nǎodai.

      The kitten poked its head out of the box.

    Expressing "to peer into" with 探 (tàn) | Chinese Grammar