探索
tànsuǒ · HSK 6
explore
🔍🧭 探 = hand reaching deep + 索 = search by rope — probe and explore
The hand radical in 探 shows a hand reaching out. 索 originally meant a twisted rope used to pull things closer. Combine reaching and pulling: systematic exploration.
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.