This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
B1 verb 12 min read

考查

kaozha
Examples
Explanation 考查 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn Chinese. The word 考查 (kǎo chá) might seem a bit difficult right now, but it is a very useful word to understand early on. Imagine you are in a classroom. Your teacher wants to know if you learned the new words from yesterday. So, the teacher gives you a small quiz. That action of the teacher checking what you know is what 考查 means. It is like the English words 'to test' or 'to check'. However, it is important to know that this word is mostly used for checking things in your brain, like your knowledge, your memory, or your skills. You do not use this word to check if your backpack is zipped or if your shoes are tied. In Chinese, there are different words for checking physical things. But when a school or a boss wants to see how smart you are or how well you can do a job, they use 考查. The first character, 考 (kǎo), means to test, just like in the word 考试 (kǎo shì), which means examination. The second character, 查 (chá), means to look into or to check. So, when you put them together, it means checking by giving a test. Even though you might not use this word every day when you talk to your friends, you will definitely see it in your Chinese textbooks or hear your teacher say it when they talk about exams. Just remember: 考查 is for testing your brain and your skills!
Sign up free to read full explanation
As an A2 learner, you are building a stronger vocabulary and starting to understand that Chinese has specific words for specific situations. The word 考查 (kǎo chá) is a great example of this. You already know the word 考试 (kǎo shì) for 'exam'. 考查 is related to that, but it is a verb that means 'to inspect', 'to examine', or 'to test'. You use it when someone wants to evaluate how good you are at something. For example, if you apply for a job, the boss will want to 考查 your abilities to see if you can do the work. If you are learning how to drive, the driving instructor will 考查 your driving skills before you get your license. It is a slightly formal word. You would not use it to ask your friend to check if you have food in your teeth. For everyday checking of things, you use the word 检查 (jiǎn chá). But when you are talking about school, work, or official tests, 考查 is the perfect word. It tells the listener that there is a standard, and someone is checking to see if you meet that standard. When you read sentences with this word, pay attention to the words that come after it. Usually, it is followed by words like 能力 (néng lì - ability) or 知识 (zhī shi - knowledge). Understanding this will help you sound much more natural when you talk about school or work in Chinese.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B1 intermediate level, grasping the precise usage of 考查 (kǎo chá) is crucial for discussing educational and professional topics accurately. This verb translates to 'to examine', 'to inspect', or 'to investigate', but its application is highly specific. Unlike the general word for checking, 检查 (jiǎn chá), which can be applied to physical objects like baggage or health, 考查 is strictly reserved for evaluating abstract concepts. These concepts typically include a person's knowledge, skills, abilities, performance, or qualifications. For instance, an exam paper might be designed to 考查 a student's reading comprehension, or an HR manager might 考查 a candidate's communication skills during an interview. It implies a systematic assessment against a set standard. Furthermore, you must be extremely careful not to confuse 考查 with its near-homophone 考察 (kǎo chǎ). While they sound similar, 考察 means to conduct an on-the-spot investigation or a field trip (like a geological survey or a market observation). 考查, on the other hand, is about testing someone's competence. As a B1 learner, you should start using 考查 in your writing and speaking when discussing how schools evaluate students or how companies assess employees. It elevates your language from basic everyday vocabulary to a more professional and academic register. Pay attention to collocations like 考查能力 (examine ability) and 考查知识 (test knowledge) to ensure your sentences sound authentically Chinese.
Reaching the B2 level means you are refining your ability to express complex ideas with precision, and mastering 考查 (kǎo chá) is a significant step in that process. At this stage, you understand that Chinese vocabulary often requires distinguishing between subtle nuances. 考查 is a formal, transitive verb used to denote the systematic evaluation of abstract attributes—such as knowledge, competence, ethical standards, or overall performance—usually by an authoritative figure or institution. It is heavily utilized in academic, corporate, and bureaucratic contexts. For example, you will frequently encounter it in syllabi describing what a course aims to assess, or in official documents detailing the evaluation process for government cadres. A key syntactic feature to note is that 考查 often takes a complex object phrase, such as 学生的逻辑思维能力 (students' logical thinking ability). You should also be comfortable using it in passive structures or as a nominalized verb following verbs like 进行 (to conduct), as in 进行全面的考查 (to conduct a comprehensive examination). The distinction between 考查 and 考察 (kǎo chǎ) must be absolute in your mind now: the former is an assessment of capability against a standard, while the latter is an observational field study. Furthermore, distinguishing it from 考核 (kǎo hé), which specifically refers to formal performance appraisals (like KPIs), will demonstrate your advanced command of professional Chinese. Using 考查 correctly signifies that you can navigate formal Chinese environments with confidence.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 advanced level, your understanding of 考查 (kǎo chá) should extend beyond its basic definition to encompass its stylistic weight, bureaucratic connotations, and precise collocations. 考查 is deeply embedded in the discourse of institutional evaluation in China. It is not merely 'to test'; it implies a rigorous, often documented process of scrutiny designed to ascertain whether an individual meets stringent criteria for advancement, graduation, or appointment. In the realm of public administration, the 考查 of cadres by the Organization Department is a highly formalized procedure evaluating political integrity, work performance, and public standing. Syntactically, you should adeptly deploy 考查 with adverbs of degree and focus, such as 重点考查 (focus on examining), 全面考查 (comprehensively examine), or 严格考查 (strictly examine). You must also recognize its use in academic discourse, where a thesis or research methodology might be said to 考查 specific theoretical frameworks or historical phenomena, pushing the boundary slightly from personal evaluation to academic scrutiny. At this level, the common errors of confusing it with 检查 or 考察 should be entirely eradicated from your output. Your usage should reflect an acute awareness of register; you know intuitively that 考查 belongs in policy documents, academic critiques, and formal professional correspondence, and you can manipulate its surrounding syntax to convey precise levels of formality and institutional authority.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 mastery level, your engagement with 考查 (kǎo chá) reflects a native-like intuition for the socio-cultural and institutional frameworks of the Chinese language. You understand that 考查 is a lexical manifestation of a culture that places immense value on standardized evaluation, meritocracy, and bureaucratic oversight. The word carries an inherent power dynamic; the entity conducting the 考查 occupies a position of authority over the subject being examined. This nuance is crucial when analyzing political texts, official news broadcasts (like Xinwen Lianbo), or high-level corporate communications. You can seamlessly distinguish between the micro-level application of the word (e.g., a specific exam question testing a grammatical point: 该题旨在考查虚拟语气的用法) and its macro-level application (e.g., the comprehensive vetting of leadership candidates: 组织上正在对这批后备干部进行深入考查). Furthermore, you can play with its morphological boundaries, understanding when it functions almost nominally in compound structures or bureaucratic jargon. Your ability to articulate the semantic boundaries between 考查, 考察, 考核, 检验, and 鉴定 demonstrates a profound lexicological mastery. You recognize that while 考查 focuses on verifying internal capabilities against a standard, 考核 emphasizes the appraisal of output and results, and 考察 emphasizes external observation and fact-finding. This absolute precision allows you to draft flawless professional documents, deliver authoritative academic presentations, and engage in sophisticated discourse regarding policy, education, and human resources in Chinese.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples
The Chinese verb 考查 (kǎo chá) is an essential vocabulary word for learners at the intermediate level and above, translating primarily to 'to inspect', 'to examine', or 'to investigate'. When we delve into what this word truly means and when native speakers actually use it, we have to look closely at the contexts of evaluation, testing, and formal assessment. In Chinese culture, where education and formal evaluation hold significant societal weight, words related to testing and examining are highly nuanced. 考查 is specifically used when someone in a position of authority—like a teacher, a manager, or a government official—is evaluating the knowledge, skills, performance, or qualifications of someone else. It is not a casual word; you would not use it to say you are checking your phone or inspecting a restaurant's menu. Instead, it carries a formal, systematic, and often academic or professional undertone. To truly master this word, one must understand that it implies a standard against which someone or something is being measured. For instance, a school might use this word when talking about assessing students' grasp of a particular subject over the semester.
Academic Context
In schools and universities, this term is frequently used to describe the assessment of students' abilities, often referring to non-standardized or continuous evaluation methods rather than a single massive final exam.

老师通过提问来考查我们的学习情况。

In the workplace, human resources departments or management teams use this word when they are reviewing an employee's performance, particularly during probation periods or when considering someone for a promotion. The focus is on verifying whether the individual meets the required standards or possesses the necessary competencies for the job.
Professional Evaluation
Used when assessing a candidate's suitability for a role, focusing on their practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and overall professional demeanor.

公司会对新员工进行为期三个月的考查。

Furthermore, in governmental or bureaucratic settings, the word is used when higher-level officials evaluate the work of lower-level cadres. This involves a comprehensive review of their achievements, ethical standards, and leadership capabilities. It is a rigorous process that determines career advancement within the civil service.
Official Inspection
Refers to the formal and documented process of evaluating government officials or public servants to ensure they are performing their duties effectively and honestly.

组织部门正在考查这批年轻干部。

The psychological weight of this word should not be underestimated. When someone says they are going to 考查 you, it inherently creates a sense of pressure and expectation. It means you are being watched, your outputs are being measured, and there will likely be consequences based on the results of this examination. Therefore, it is a word that commands respect and seriousness in any conversation.

期末考试主要考查学生的阅读理解能力。

To summarize the usage, whenever you want to express the idea of putting someone's abilities, knowledge, or qualifications to the test in a formal, structured manner, 考查 is the most precise and appropriate vocabulary choice. It bridges the gap between simple checking and rigorous testing, providing a comprehensive term for formal evaluation.

这次面试重点考查应聘者的沟通技巧。

Understanding how to construct sentences with 考查 (kǎo chá) is vital for achieving fluency and sounding natural in Chinese. The syntactic behavior of this verb is relatively straightforward, but its collocations—the words it naturally pairs with—are highly specific. 考查 is a transitive verb, which means it must take a direct object. However, you cannot just use any noun as its object. The objects of 考查 are almost exclusively abstract nouns related to human attributes, academic subjects, professional competencies, or overall performance. Let us break down the most common sentence structures and patterns you will encounter and need to use. The most basic structure is Subject + 考查 + Object. The subject is usually a person in authority, an institution, or an abstract concept like an exam or a test.
Structure: Subject + 考查 + Abstract Noun
This is the standard formula. The abstract noun is typically something like knowledge (知识), ability (能力), performance (表现), or qualification (资格).

这道题旨在考查学生的逻辑思维能力。

Notice in the example above, the subject is '这道题' (this question). It is very common for non-human subjects like tests, questions, interviews, or tasks to be the subject of 考查. This implies that the test itself is the instrument of examination. Another very common pattern involves specifying the target demographic being examined. You can do this by adding a modifier to the object.
Structure: Subject + 考查 + Target's + Attribute
Use this when you want to be specific about whose abilities are being tested. For example, testing the students' knowledge or the employees' skills.

校长亲自考查了新老师的教学水平。

In more formal or written Chinese, you might encounter passive constructions, although they are less frequent than active ones. When used in the passive, the structure often utilizes the marker 被 (bèi) or is simply implied by context.
Passive Structure
The attribute or person being examined becomes the subject of the sentence, emphasizing the process of evaluation rather than the evaluator.

他的专业知识在面试中受到了严格的考查。

You can also use 考查 as a noun, though it is fundamentally a verb. When functioning as a noun, it often follows verbs like 进行 (jìn xíng - to conduct) or 接受 (jiē shòu - to receive/undergo). This is a hallmark of formal, bureaucratic, or academic Chinese.

我们需要对这个项目进行全面的考查。

Finally, it is crucial to note that 考查 is rarely used with physical objects. You would not say you are going to 考查 a car to see if it works; you would use 检查 (jiǎn chá) instead. 考查 is strictly reserved for human elements, systems, or abstract constructs.

这种考试方式无法全面考查学生的真实水平。

Mastering these sentence patterns will ensure that your use of 考查 is not only grammatically correct but also stylistically appropriate for the contexts in which native speakers naturally employ it.
To truly internalize 考查 (kǎo chá), you need to know the specific environments and situations where native Chinese speakers actively use it. This word is not something you will typically hear in a casual chat at a coffee shop or while playing video games with friends. Its register is distinctly formal, professional, and academic. The primary domain where this word reigns supreme is the education sector. From primary schools all the way up to postgraduate studies, the concept of evaluation is central to the Chinese educational experience. Teachers, professors, and educational administrators use 考查 constantly when discussing curriculum design, exam creation, and student assessment. You will see it printed on exam papers, written in syllabi, and spoken during parent-teacher conferences.
Educational Materials
In textbooks and exam instructions, it describes the specific skills a test is designed to measure, such as reading comprehension or critical thinking.

本试卷主要考查基础语法知识。

The second major domain is the corporate workplace, specifically within human resources and management. When a company is hiring, the interview process is a form of 考查. During a probationary period, a new hire's performance is subject to 考查. Annual performance reviews also heavily feature this concept. Managers use it to discuss whether an employee has met their KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and demonstrated the necessary soft and hard skills for their role.
Human Resources
Used in performance appraisals, job descriptions, and interview feedback to denote the assessment of a candidate's or employee's professional capabilities.

试用期内，人力资源部将对你进行全面考查。

A third significant area is government and public administration. In China, the evaluation of government officials and civil servants is a highly structured and serious process. The Organization Department of the Communist Party regularly conducts evaluations of cadres before they can be promoted. This process is officially termed 考查. It is a comprehensive review that looks into an official's political stance, work achievements, moral character, and public reputation.
Government Administration
Refers to the strict, formal vetting process for promoting or evaluating public officials and party members.

上级领导来我们单位考查干部。

Finally, you might hear it in specialized fields like scientific research or auditing, where methodologies, systems, or theoretical frameworks are put to the test. Even here, it maintains its core meaning of evaluating against a standard. By understanding these contexts, you can confidently use 考查 in professional emails, academic essays, and formal discussions, knowing exactly the tone and weight it carries.

专家组对该项目的可行性进行了严格考查。

我们需要设计一个新的标准来考查系统性能。

When learning 考查 (kǎo chá), English speakers frequently stumble into a few specific traps. Because English uses broad words like 'check', 'test', or 'inspect' for many different situations, learners often assume Chinese works the same way. The most glaring and common mistake is confusing 考查 (kǎo chá) with its near-homophone 考察 (kǎo chǎ). While they sound almost identical (only differing in the tone of the second character) and look very similar, their meanings and usage contexts are distinct. 考察 (with the third tone on chǎ) means to conduct an on-the-spot investigation, field trip, or observation. You 考察 a geographical location, a foreign market, or an historical site. You do not 考察 a student's grammar skills. Conversely, you 考查 (with the second tone on chá) a student's knowledge, but you do not 考查 a mountain range. Mixing these two up is a classic error that immediately flags you as a non-native speaker or someone who is careless with their vocabulary.
Mistake: Mixing up 考查 and 考察
Using 考查 for field trips or 考察 for academic tests. Remember: 查 (chá) is for checking knowledge/skills; 察 (chǎ) is for observing places/phenomena.

Incorrect: 老师考察了我的数学。
Correct: 老师考查了我的数学。

Another frequent mistake involves using 考查 with concrete, physical objects. In English, you might 'examine' a patient, 'inspect' a car's engine, or 'check' your luggage. In Chinese, you cannot use 考查 for these actions. 考查 is strictly reserved for abstract qualities like knowledge, ability, performance, morality, and qualifications. If you want to check a physical object, you should use 检查 (jiǎn chá). If you want a doctor to examine you, they use 检查身体.
Mistake: Using it for physical objects
Applying 考查 to things you can touch, like machinery, bodies, or documents for typos. Use 检查 instead.

Incorrect: 警察考查了我的护照。
Correct: 警察检查了我的护照。

A third mistake is related to register and tone. 考查 is a formal word. Using it in highly casual, everyday situations sounds overly dramatic and unnatural. For instance, if you want to test your friend to see if they remember a movie quote, you wouldn't say '我要考查你'. You would use a simpler word like 考 (kǎo) or 测试 (cè shì). Using 考查 makes it sound like you are an official examiner administering a formal assessment.
Mistake: Overusing it in casual conversation
Employing this formal, bureaucratic term for lighthearted or everyday checking. Stick to simpler verbs for daily life.

Incorrect: 妈妈考查了我的房间干不干净。
Correct: 妈妈检查了我的房间干不干净。

By being mindful of these common pitfalls—specifically distinguishing it from 考察, avoiding physical objects, and matching the formal register—you can elevate your Chinese proficiency and use 考查 with the precision of an educated native speaker.

一定要注意，我们是考查他的能力，不是检查他的行李。

这篇论文很好地考查了该理论的实际应用。

The Chinese language is incredibly rich in vocabulary related to checking, testing, and examining. To use 考查 (kǎo chá) accurately, you must understand its position within this web of synonyms and similar words. Knowing the alternatives not only prevents repetition but also allows you to express exact nuances in meaning. The most critical comparison, as mentioned previously, is with 考察 (kǎo chǎ). While 考查 focuses on testing a person's abstract qualities (knowledge, ability) against a standard, 考察 focuses on field observation, investigation, and gathering information about a place, a situation, or a phenomenon.
考查 vs. 考察
考查 evaluates knowledge or skills (e.g., assessing a student). 考察 involves on-site investigation or observation (e.g., a geological survey).

我们将去实地考察，然后再考查相关人员的应对能力。

Another highly common alternative is 检查 (jiǎn chá). This is a much broader and more colloquial term meaning 'to check' or 'to inspect'. Unlike 考查, 检查 can be used for physical objects, health, safety, and routine verifications. If you are checking for mistakes in your homework, checking your car's oil, or getting a medical checkup, you use 检查. It lacks the formal 'testing' connotation of 考查.
考查 vs. 检查
检查 is for routine checks of physical things or finding errors. 考查 is for formal evaluation of abstract capabilities.

交警检查了我的驾照，而考官考查了我的驾驶技术。

In the context of testing, 测试 (cè shì) is another frequent alternative. 测试 means 'to test' or 'to measure'. It is often used for standardized tests, psychological evaluations, software testing, and measuring specific metrics. While 考查 implies a broader, perhaps more qualitative evaluation of a person's overall grasp of a subject, 测试 often implies a more quantitative, specific measurement.
考查 vs. 测试
测试 is often used for software, machinery, or specific standardized quizzes. 考查 is broader, evaluating overall competence or knowledge.

这个软件需要经过多次测试，才能用来考查员工。

For workplace evaluations, 考核 (kǎo hé) is a critical synonym. 考核 means 'to assess' or 'to appraise', specifically in a professional or administrative context. It is heavily associated with KPIs, performance reviews, and determining bonuses or promotions. While 考查 can be used in the workplace to mean evaluating an employee's skills, 考核 is the more standard bureaucratic term for the formal appraisal process itself.

年底的绩效考核将全面考查大家的工作成果。

By distinguishing 考查 from 考察, 检查, 测试, and 考核, you build a highly precise and sophisticated Chinese vocabulary. You will know exactly which word to deploy whether you are taking an exam, inspecting a factory, testing software, or conducting an annual performance review.

为了准确考查市场需求，我们先进行了广泛的调查。

Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

老师考查我们的汉字。

The teacher tests our Chinese characters.

Subject + 考查 + Object (abstract thing like knowledge).

2

明天学校有考查。

Tomorrow the school has a test/examination.

Used here almost like a noun meaning 'test'.

3

他考查我的英语。

He tests my English.

Basic transitive verb usage.

4

妈妈考查我的作业。

Mom checks/tests my homework.

Checking the quality/knowledge of the homework.

5

这个考试考查什么？

What does this exam test?

Question word 什么 as the object.

6

我要考查你的记忆力。

I want to test your memory.

Using auxiliary verb 要 before 考查.

7

他不喜欢被考查。

He doesn't like being tested.

Basic passive concept, though 被 is advanced, the meaning is simple.

8

考查很难。

The examination is very hard.

Used as a subject/noun.

1

这次面试主要考查你的口语能力。

This interview mainly tests your speaking ability.

Using 主要 (mainly) as an adverb.

2

校长亲自考查了新老师。

The principal personally examined the new teachers.

Using 亲自 (personally) and the completed action marker 了.

3

我们需要考查他的专业知识。

We need to examine his professional knowledge.

Using 需要 (need to) before the verb.

4

期末考试重点考查阅读和写作。

The final exam focuses on testing reading and writing.

Using 重点 (focus) as an adverb.

5

公司正在考查这名员工的表现。

The company is examining this employee's performance.

Using 正在 to indicate an ongoing action.

6

通过这次活动，老师考查了大家的团队精神。

Through this activity, the teacher examined everyone's team spirit.

Using 通过 (through) to show the method of examination.

7

你准备好接受考查了吗？

Are you ready to accept the examination?

Using 接受 (accept/receive) with 考查 as a noun.

8

这种方法不能很好地考查学生的真实水平。

This method cannot examine students' real level very well.

Using 不能很好地 (cannot very well) to modify the verb.

1

这道数学题旨在考查学生的逻辑推理能力。

This math problem aims to test students' logical reasoning ability.

Using 旨在 (aims to) + 考查.

2

在试用期内，人力资源部会对新员工进行全面考查。

During the probation period, the HR department will conduct a comprehensive examination of new employees.

Using 对...进行全面考查 (conduct comprehensive examination on...).

3

考查结果将作为评定奖学金的重要依据。

The examination results will serve as an important basis for awarding scholarships.

考查 used as an attributive noun modifying 结果 (results).

4

请注意，考查（测试能力）和考察（实地观察）是两个不同的词。

Please note, kǎo chá (testing ability) and kǎo chǎ (on-the-spot observation) are two different words.

Explicitly contrasting the two confusing words.

5

驾驶考试不仅考查技术，还考查心理素质。

The driving test not only examines skills but also psychological quality.

Using 不仅...还... (not only... but also...).

6

为了公平起见，所有的考查标准都是公开的。

For the sake of fairness, all examination standards are public.

考查 modifying 标准 (standards).

7

专家组对该项目的可行性进行了严格的考查。

The expert group conducted a strict examination of the project's feasibility.

Using 严格的 (strict) to modify the nominalized 考查.

8

他因为没有通过组织的考查，失去了晋升的机会。

Because he did not pass the organization's examination, he lost the opportunity for promotion.

Using 通过 (pass) with 考查.

1

高考作为一种选拔性考试，其题目设计必须能够科学地考查考生的综合素质。

As a selective exam, the Gaokao's question design must be able to scientifically examine candidates' comprehensive qualities.

Advanced vocabulary integration: 选拔性, 科学地, 综合素质.

2

在干部选拔任用过程中，政治品德的考查始终被放在首位。

In the process of selecting and appointing cadre

Sign up free to see all examples

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!