Meaning and Usage
"研究" (yánjiū) primarily means "to research" or "to study" in an academic or scientific context. It involves deep investigation or exploration of a subject. It can be used as a verb or a noun.
Common Contexts
It is often used when talking about academic studies, scientific research, or detailed investigation of problems. For example, "研究物理学" means "to study physics," and "研究技术" means "to research technology."
Collocations and Patterns
- 研究 + 学科 (e.g., 研究历史): to study a subject academically
- 研究 + 问题/原因: to investigate a problem or cause
- 进行研究: to carry out research
Nuances
Using "研究" implies a systematic and thorough approach, often formal or professional. It differs from simpler verbs like "看" (to look) or "学" (to learn) by emphasizing depth and rigor.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "研究" with "学习" (xuéxí), which means "to learn" in a broader sense. "研究" is more specialized and implies active investigation or scientific inquiry.