钻研
zuān yán · HSK 7
to study meticulously
⛏️🔬 钻研 = 钻 drill/bore + 研 grind/research = to drill and grind into a subject
钻 means to bore or drill; 研 means to grind or research. Put together, they describe boring down and grinding away at a topic until you master it — meticulous, deep study.
钻 — metal radical 钅+ 占 (phonetic)
A semantic-phonetic compound. The metal radical 钅(金) signals a metal tool or object, while 占 (zhān) provides the sound. Originally meant a metal drill or auger; by extension, to bore or drill through. The traditional form is 鑽.