复查
fù chá · HSK 7
to check again
🔍 复 = again/return + 查 = check/inspect
复 (fù) means 'again' or 'repeat' (same 复 as 复习 'review'); 查 (chá) means 'to check' or 'inspect'. Together: check again — a re-inspection or reexamination.
查 — wood 木 + sun-on-tree 旦-like 且
Originally a variant form related to 楂 (a type of raft or wooden float), combining 木 (tree/wood) with 且 as phonetic. Over time it shifted to mean 'to inspect' or 'investigate,' likely through the idea of examining wood or tallies. The reading chá for 'check' became dominant in modern usage.