to investigate; survey; investigation
HSK level
调查 is written with 19 strokes (调: 10, 查: 9). The animation replays automatically.
调查 (diàochá) works as both a verb ('to investigate, to survey, to look into') and a noun ('an investigation, a survey, a study').
It combines 调 (diào, 'to transfer/deploy/look into') and 查 ('to check/examine'). It covers police or official investigations of a case, market and opinion surveys, academic field studies, and any systematic gathering of facts. It is neutral in register, leaning slightly formal, and common in news, business, and official contexts.
Two differences from English: the same word 调查 serves as both verb and noun with no change in form, so 做一个调查 ('do a survey') and 调查这件事 ('investigate this matter') use one word; and note 调 here reads diào, not tiáo. Compare 研究 (to research/study in depth) — 调查 emphasizes fact-finding and data collection, while 研究 emphasizes analysis and deeper study.
Character by character
Memory hook: 调 (deploy/look into) + 查 (check) — deploy resources to check the facts: investigate.
警察正在调查这个案子。
Jǐngchá zhèngzài diàochá zhège ànzi.
The police are investigating this case.
neutral
公司做了一次市场调查。
Gōngsī zuò le yí cì shìchǎng diàochá.
The company conducted a market survey.
written
这件事我们需要好好调查一下。
Zhè jiàn shì wǒmen xūyào hǎohǎo diàochá yíxià.
We need to look into this matter carefully.
spoken
调查结果下周公布。
Diàochá jiéguǒ xià zhōu gōngbù.
The survey results will be announced next week.
written
研究 means 'to research / study' with emphasis on deep analysis and understanding. 调查 emphasizes gathering facts and data on the ground. You 调查 to collect information, then 研究 to analyze it.
考察 means to inspect/examine through on-site observation, often for evaluation. 调查 is broader fact-finding via surveys, interviews, or inquiry, not necessarily on-site.
检查 means to inspect/check something for problems (检查身体 medical check, 检查作业 check homework). 调查 means to investigate a matter or survey to gather facts. 检查 verifies; 调查 uncovers.
When 调 reads tiáo it means 'to adjust / mix' (调整 adjust, 调味 season). In 调查 it reads diào ('to look into'). Correct reading is diàochá, not tiáochá.
Acquire it by listening
Fluentide turns real news into Chinese listening at your exact level, so words like 调查 show up again and again in natural sentences — with pinyin and translation every time. No flashcards. Free to start.
