检查
jiǎnchá · HSK 2
inspection
🔍 检 = inspect + 查 = examine; both halves mean to check
检 (jiǎn) carries the sense of restraining or scrutinizing; 查 (chá) means to investigate or look up. Stacked together they reinforce each other into a strong word for any kind of inspection or audit.
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.