勘探
kān tàn · HSK 7
to explore
⛏️🛢️ 勘 (investigate) + 探 (probe) = survey land to prospect for oil; sounds like can-tan
勘 means to investigate or check, and 探 means to probe or seek out. Together they name the work of surveying ground to prospect for oil or minerals. The sound kān tàn echoes the English can-tan.
探 — hand radical 扌 + 罙 (depth/cave)
探 combines the hand radical 扌 with 罙, which depicts a hand reaching into a cave or deep place. The original sense was reaching in to feel for or retrieve something hidden, which extended to 'probe,' 'search,' and 'explore.' 罙 also hints at the sound.