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B1 verb #7,000 most common 9 min read

审阅

shenyue Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 审阅 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 审阅 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '审阅' (shěnyuè) often, as it is a formal word. However, you can think of it as a 'super-formal' way to say 'read' (看 - kàn) or 'check' (检查 - jiǎnchá). Imagine a teacher looking at your homework. Instead of just saying 'The teacher looks at my homework,' in a formal school setting, someone might say 'The teacher reviews (审阅) the homework.' It's important to know that this word is for documents and papers, not for looking at pictures or people. It's a 'serious' word for 'serious' reading. You might see it in a school office or a library.

By A2, you are starting to learn about different settings in Chinese. '审阅' (shěnyuè) is a word you would see in an office. It means to read something very carefully to make sure it is correct. For example, if you write a letter to your boss, your boss will '审阅' it. It is different from just 'reading' because the person reading it has the power to say 'yes' or 'no' to what is written. At this level, just remember: Big Boss + Document + 审阅 = Approval process. It's a formal verb used in professional environments.

At the B1 level, '审阅' (shěnyuè) becomes a key vocabulary item for professional and academic communication. You should understand that this word implies a critical examination. When a manager 审阅s a proposal, they are not just reading for information; they are evaluating the quality, looking for errors, and deciding on approval. You will often use this in business emails, such as 'Please review the attached file' (请审阅附件). It is more formal than '检查' (to check) and more specific than '看' (to look). It is almost always used with documents, plans, manuscripts, or reports.

At the B2 level, you should be able to distinguish '审阅' (shěnyuè) from similar words like '审核' (shěnhé - to audit/verify) and '审查' (shěnchá - to censor/investigate). '审阅' is the standard term for the professional perusal of manuscripts, draft laws, or business plans. It carries a sense of authority and responsibility. You should also be comfortable using it in various grammatical structures, such as using it as a noun ('经过审阅' - after review) or in passive contexts. You'll encounter it frequently in news reports about government officials 'reviewing' (审阅) troops or important policy documents.

For C1 learners, '审阅' (shěnyuè) is part of a sophisticated toolkit for describing administrative and editorial processes. You should appreciate the subtle nuances it carries in different sectors. In law, it refers to the judicial examination of evidence. In publishing, it describes the rigorous peer-review or editorial process. You should be able to use it fluently in formal writing, understanding that its usage reinforces the hierarchical or professional relationship between the reviewer and the material. You should also recognize its role in the 'Three-Review System' (三审制) used in Chinese publishing and media.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '审阅' (shěnyuè) and its stylistic implications. You understand its historical roots and how it functions as a marker of formal, institutionalized authority. You can use it in high-level discourse to describe the scrutiny of complex legislative drafts or philosophical manuscripts. You are also aware of how the word might be used rhetorically in political speeches to emphasize a leader's diligence and oversight. You can effortlessly navigate its synonyms and antonyms to convey precise degrees of formality and critical intent in any professional or academic setting.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

审阅 in 30 Seconds

审阅 (shěnyuè) is a formal verb meaning 'to review' or 'to examine' documents for approval.
It is primarily used in professional, academic, and governmental contexts between superiors and subordinates.
The word implies a critical, evaluative reading rather than casual browsing or simple information gathering.
Common objects include reports, contracts, proposals, manuscripts, and official government or legal papers.

The Chinese verb 审阅 (shěnyuè) is a formal term that translates to 'to review,' 'to examine,' or 'to perusal with the intent of approval.' It is a compound word consisting of 审 (shěn), meaning to examine, judge, or scrutinize, and 阅 (yuè), meaning to read, inspect, or experience. Together, they describe a high-level cognitive process where reading is not merely for leisure or basic understanding, but for critical evaluation. You will most frequently encounter this word in professional, academic, and governmental contexts where a person in a position of authority or expertise must verify the contents of a document before it is finalized or executed.

Professional Context: In a corporate setting, a manager might 审阅 a project proposal submitted by a subordinate. This implies the manager is looking for errors, checking for alignment with company goals, and ultimately deciding if the proposal can move forward.

总经理正在办公室审阅年度财务报告，确保每一项开支都符合规定。(The General Manager is currently reviewing the annual financial report in the office to ensure every expenditure complies with regulations.)

The nuance of 审阅 lies in its inherent sense of responsibility. Unlike the generic 看 (kàn) or 读 (dú), 审阅 suggests that the reader has the power to suggest changes or grant authorization. It is rarely used for casual reading material like novels or comic books unless the reader is an editor or a critic performing a professional duty. For example, an author sends a manuscript to an editor for 审阅. The editor's job is not just to enjoy the story but to evaluate its quality and readiness for publication.

Academic Context: Professors 审阅 theses or research papers. Here, it denotes a rigorous check against academic standards, logic, and factual accuracy.

导师已经审阅了我的论文初稿，并提出了宝贵的修改意见。(The supervisor has already reviewed the first draft of my thesis and provided valuable suggestions for revision.)

Furthermore, 审阅 often appears in official government notices. When a new law or regulation is drafted, it must undergo multiple rounds of 审阅 by various committees. This ensures that the language is precise and that the legal implications are fully understood. It is a word that commands respect and implies a meticulous attention to detail. If someone tells you they are '审阅ing' your work, you should expect detailed feedback rather than just a simple 'I liked it.'

请在今天下午五点之前将最终方案交给王主任审阅。(Please submit the final proposal to Director Wang for review before 5 PM today.)

Using 审阅 (shěnyuè) correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior and its typical objects. As a transitive verb, it directly precedes the document or item being reviewed. The subject is almost always a human agent, specifically one with the authority or expertise to perform the review. You cannot use '审阅' to describe a machine scanning a document for viruses; it implies human judgment.

Common Sentence Structure: [Subject] + [Adverbial/Time] + 审阅 + [Object (Document/Plan)]. For example: '经理正在审阅合。' (The manager is reviewing the contract.)

主编正在审阅下个月杂志的主题文章。(The editor-in-chief is currently reviewing the cover story for next month's magazine.)

One important aspect of 审阅 is that it often occurs in the passive voice or in 'Ba' constructions to emphasize the object being handled. However, in formal Chinese, the 'Ba' construction is slightly less common with 审阅 than the direct S-V-O pattern. Instead, you will often see it used with '请' (please) in requests. '请审阅' (Please review) is a standard closing in business emails when attaching a document for a superior's approval.

Combining with Resultative Complements: You can add '完' (wán - finished) to indicate completion: '审阅完' (finished reviewing). '他审阅完了所有的申请材料。' (He finished reviewing all the application materials.)

这份文件需要经过三位专家的审阅才能最终定稿。(This document needs to be reviewed by three experts before it can be finalized.)

Notice that in the sentence above, 审阅 acts as a noun (review/perusal). This flexibility is common in Chinese. When used as a noun, it often follows '经过' (undergo/pass through) or '完成' (complete). Another pattern is '报送...审阅' (to submit [something] for review). This is very common in bureaucratic pipelines where documents move up the chain of command.

秘书已经将会议纪要报送给局长审阅。(The secretary has already submitted the meeting minutes to the bureau director for review.)

Finally, consider the adverbial modifiers. Words like '认真' (carefully), '仔细' (meticulously), and '逐一' (one by one) frequently accompany 审阅 to emphasize the thoroughness of the action. '他正在仔细审阅每一张图纸。' (He is meticulously reviewing every single blueprint.) This reinforces the '审' (examine) component of the word.

You are most likely to hear 审阅 (shěnyuè) in high-stakes environments where accuracy is paramount. It is not a word for the street or the dinner table; it belongs in the office, the courtroom, the newsroom, and the university. If you are working in a Chinese-speaking company, you will hear this word daily during project transitions or before meetings. It signifies a gatekeeping moment where a project moves from 'in progress' to 'approved.'

In the Media: News anchors often use this word when discussing government activities. '国家领导人审阅了阅兵式部队' (State leaders reviewed the parade troops). Note: in the context of a parade, 审阅 takes on a slightly more ceremonial but still evaluative meaning.

在新闻发布会之前，发言人必须亲自审阅所有的新闻稿。(Before the press conference, the spokesperson must personally review all press releases.)

In legal settings, lawyers and judges 审阅 evidence, contracts, and legal briefs. Here, the word carries the weight of the law. A judge's 审阅 of a case file determines the direction of a trial. In this context, the word is synonymous with 'judicious examination.' You might hear a lawyer say, '我们需要更多时间来审阅这些新证据。' (We need more time to review these new pieces of evidence.)

In Publishing: The entire publishing industry revolves around 审阅. From the first reader at a publishing house to the final proofreader, everyone is performing a version of 审阅. It's the process of filtering quality.

该书的第二版在出版前经过了专家的严格审阅。(The second edition of the book underwent rigorous expert review before publication.)

Lastly, in large-scale organizations, '审阅' is part of the 'workflow' (工作流). You might hear colleagues asking, '那份报告审阅到哪一步了？' (At which stage is the review of that report?). This implies there are multiple levels of 审阅. It's a key word for anyone navigating Chinese corporate hierarchy. Understanding who has the authority to 审阅 your work is crucial for career progression and project management.

由于领导出差，这份文件的审阅工作可能会推迟几天。(Due to the leader being on a business trip, the review of this document might be delayed for a few days.)

While 审阅 (shěnyuè) might seem straightforward, learners often confuse it with other 'reading' or 'checking' verbs. The most common mistake is using it in a context that is too casual. Remember, 审阅 is a formal, top-down action. Using it with friends about a text message would sound strangely formal or even sarcastic.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 审查 (shěnchá): 审查 (shěnchá) translates to 'censorship' or 'investigation.' While both involve '审' (examining), 审查 is much more aggressive and often implies looking for wrongdoing or illegal content. 审阅 is generally constructive and part of a standard approval process. You 审阅 a plan to improve it; the government 审查 a film to decide if it can be shown.

Incorrect: 警察正在审阅嫌疑人的背景。(Police are reviewing the suspect's background.) - Better to use 审查 here.

Another common error is confusing 审阅 with 批阅 (pīyuè). 批阅 is specifically used for teachers grading students' work or officials adding comments (批示) to a document. While 审阅 is the act of examining, 批阅 emphasizes the act of writing comments or marks on the document itself. If you are a student, your teacher will 批阅 your essay.

Mistake 3: Misunderstanding the Subject-Object Power Dynamic: In Chinese culture, 审阅 is an action usually performed by a superior on an inferior's work. It would be socially awkward (and grammatically odd) to say 'I will 审阅 my boss's report' (unless you are a specifically appointed external consultant). For a peer's work, use '看一看' (take a look) or '帮我检查一下' (help me check).

Incorrect: 我打算审阅一下老板写的演讲稿。(I plan to review the speech draft written by the boss.) - This sounds arrogant.

Lastly, learners sometimes forget that 审阅 is a formal word and try to use it with very simple objects. '审阅这张便条' (reviewing this sticky note) sounds overly dramatic. Use it for substantial documents that require a level of professional scrutiny. If the object is minor, stick to 检查 (check) or 查看 (look over).

To truly master 审阅 (shěnyuè), you must see where it fits in the spectrum of 'checking' and 'reading' verbs. Chinese has a rich vocabulary for these actions, each with its own register and nuance.

审阅 vs. 审核 (shěnhé): 审核 (shěnhé) focuses on 'verification' and 'auditing.' While 审阅 is about reading and examining the content, 审核 is often about checking if something meets specific criteria or regulations (like an expense report or a loan application). 审核 is more 'pass/fail' while 审阅 is more 'qualitative evaluation.'
审阅 vs. 批阅 (pīyuè): As mentioned, 批阅 involves adding comments or marks. 审阅 is the mental act of reviewing, whereas 批阅 is the physical act of marking up the document. A leader 审阅s a report and then 批阅s it with their signature and instructions.
审阅 vs. 查阅 (cháyuè): 查阅 means 'to consult' or 'to look up.' You 查阅 a dictionary or archives to find information. There is no element of 'approval' or 'judgment' in 查阅. It is purely an information-seeking action.

比较：
1. 他在图书馆查阅历史资料。(Consulting data)
2. 经理正在审阅我的报告。(Reviewing/Approving my report)

Another close relative is 审定 (shěndìng). This word is even more final than 审阅. It means 'to examine and finalize' or 'to approve the final version.' Once a document has been 审阅ed and all changes are made, it is then 审定ed for publication or implementation. It represents the very last step of the review process.

In summary, choose 审阅 when: 1. The context is formal. 2. The reader has authority. 3. The goal is evaluation or approval. 4. The object is a document or plan. By distinguishing it from 审核 (audit), 批阅 (mark), and 查阅 (consult), you will communicate with the precision of a native speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '阅' (yuè) is also used in '阅兵' (yuèbīng), which means a military parade. This shows the word's history of high-level inspection by authority figures.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃən juɛ/

US /ʃən juɛ/

The emphasis is usually balanced, but 'shěn' (examine) carries more semantic weight.

Rhymes With

阅 (yuè) rhymes with: 月 (yuè - moon) 乐 (yuè - music) 越 (yuè - surpass) 岳 (yuè - mountain) 审 (shěn) rhymes with: 慎 (shèn - cautious) 渗 (shèn - seep) 甚 (shèn - very) 沈 (shěn - a surname)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'yuè' in the second tone (yué) like 'moon'.
Confusing 'shěn' with 'shèng' (victory).
Mumbling the 'u' sound in 'yue'; it should be a clear front rounded vowel /y/.
Merging the two tones into a neutral tone in fast speech.
Mispronouncing 'sh' as a simple 's'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in newspapers and business documents.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of formal register and correct character stroke order.

Speaking 3/5

Useful in workplace settings, but must avoid casual use.

Listening 3/5

Often heard in news and office environments.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

阅读检查文件经理报告

Learn Next

审核审查审定批示核对

Advanced

校勘甄别考量斟酌研判

Grammar to Know

The 'Ba' Construction with 审阅

请把这份报告审阅一下。

Resultative Complements

他审阅完了所有文件。

Passive 'Bei' Construction

文件已经被经理审阅过了。

Adverbial 'De'

他非常认真地审阅了合同。

Serial Verb Phrases

我去办公室审阅报告。

Examples by Level

老师审阅我的作业。

The teacher reviews my homework.

Simple S-V-O structure.

他审阅这份文件。

He reviews this document.

Transitive verb usage.

请审阅这张纸。

Please review this piece of paper.

Use of '请' for requests.

他在审阅书。

He is reviewing the book.

'在' indicates ongoing action.

我要审阅你的计划。

I want to review your plan.

'要' expresses intent.

爸爸审阅了信。

Dad reviewed the letter.

'了' indicates completion.

谁在审阅报告？

Who is reviewing the report?

Interrogative sentence.

经理没审阅合同。

The manager didn't review the contract.

Negative form using '没'.

经理正在办公室审阅合同。

The manager is reviewing the contract in the office.

Adding a location (在办公室).

请您审阅一下这个方案。

Please take a look and review this proposal.

'一下' softens the tone.

他认真地审阅了每一页。

He carefully reviewed every page.

Adverbial modifier '认真地'.

我们需要审阅你的申请。

We need to review your application.

Use of '需要'.

王老师审阅完了我的作文。

Teacher Wang finished reviewing my essay.

Resultative complement '完'.

这份报告已经审阅过了。

This report has already been reviewed.

Passive meaning with '已经...了'.

你可以帮我审阅一下吗？

Can you help me review it?

Polite request using '可以...吗'.

领导明天会审阅这些文件。

The leader will review these documents tomorrow.

Future tense with '会'.

主编正在审阅即将出版的稿件。

The editor-in-chief is reviewing the manuscript about to be published.

Specific professional context.

请将最终报告报送总经理审阅。

Please submit the final report to the general manager for review.

The pattern '报送...审阅'.

经过专家审阅，这个项目获得了批准。

After expert review, the project was approved.

Using '经过' to introduce a noun phrase.

他负责审阅公司所有的法律文书。

He is responsible for reviewing all the company's legal documents.

'负责' (responsible for) + action.

审阅过程中，我们发现了一些逻辑错误。

During the review process, we found some logical errors.

'...过程中' (during the process of).

这篇文章还需要进一步审阅和修改。

This article still needs further review and revision.

Using '进一步' (further).

由于时间紧迫，他只能粗略地审阅一遍。

Due to time constraints, he could only review it cursorily.

Contrast between '审阅' and '粗略'.

你的建议已经提交给委员会审阅了。

Your suggestions have been submitted to the committee for review.

Passive structure with '提交给'.

该法案正在由相关部门进行审阅。

The bill is currently being reviewed by relevant departments.

Formal passive using '由...进行'.

审阅合同时必须保持高度的专注。

One must maintain high focus when reviewing a contract.

Gerund-like use in a conditional clause.

他受命审阅这起案件的所有卷宗。

He was ordered to review all the files of this case.

'受命' (be ordered to) + action.

审阅人对这份报告提出了多项质疑。

The reviewer raised several questions about this report.

Using '审阅人' as a noun (reviewer).

所有稿件都必须经过三轮严格的审阅。

All manuscripts must undergo three rounds of rigorous review.

Stressing the number of rounds.

他熬夜审阅完了所有的投标书。

He stayed up all night to finish reviewing all the bids.

'熬夜' (stay up late) + action.

审阅不仅是看一遍，更是一种质量把关。

Reviewing is not just looking once; it is a form of quality control.

Defining the concept using '不仅...更'.

请在邮件中注明该文件已由主管审阅。

Please note in the email that the document has been reviewed by the supervisor.

Indirect speech/instruction.

该学术期刊采用双盲审阅制度以确保公正。

The academic journal uses a double-blind review system to ensure fairness.

Specialized academic terminology.

在审阅过程中，审稿人应秉持客观中立的原则。

During the review process, reviewers should uphold the principles of objectivity and neutrality.

Highly formal vocabulary ('秉持', '中立').

他凭借丰富的经验，能够敏锐地捕捉到审阅中的细微漏洞。

With his rich experience, he can keenly catch subtle loopholes during the review.

Complex descriptive clause.

这份史料的真实性还有待历史学家的进一步审阅。

The authenticity of this historical material remains to be further reviewed by historians.

'有待' (remains to be) + noun phrase.

审阅工作的繁琐程度往往超出了外行人的想象。

The complexity of the review work often exceeds the imagination of outsiders.

Abstract subject ('繁琐程度').

他将毕生精力都投入到了古籍的整理与审阅中。

He devoted his life's energy to the collation and review of ancient books.

'将...投入到...中'.

审阅意见书详尽地列出了方案中存在的潜在风险。

The review opinion letter detailed the potential risks existing in the proposal.

Specific noun ('审阅意见书').

严谨的审阅是保证科研成果质量的基石。

Rigorous review is the cornerstone of ensuring the quality of scientific research results.

Metaphorical use ('基石').

最高人民法院正在对该死刑案件进行最后审阅与核准。

The Supreme People's Court is conducting the final review and approval of the death penalty case.

High-level legal/judicial context.

其文集的审阅校勘工作历时十载，终告完成。

The review and collation of his collected works took ten years and was finally completed.

Archaic/Formal phrasing ('历时十载', '终告').

审阅者不仅要关注文字，更要洞察言外之意与逻辑架构。

The reviewer must not only focus on the words but also discern the implications and logical structure.

Philosophical/Analytical approach.

在权力运行的每一个环节，审阅制度都发挥着监督制衡的作用。

In every link of the operation of power, the review system plays a role of supervision and checks and balances.

Political science terminology.

该项政策的制定，经过了反复的审阅、辩论与修改。

The formulation of this policy underwent repeated review, debate, and revision.

Enumeration of formal actions.

他以一种近乎苛刻的态度审阅着下属递交的每一份企划书。

He reviewed every business proposal submitted by his subordinates with an almost harsh attitude.

Descriptive adverbial phrase ('近乎苛刻').

审阅不仅是职业行为，更是对真理与事实的敬畏与守护。

Reviewing is not just a professional act, but a reverence and protection for truth and facts.

Existential/Moral elevation of the word.

文献审阅是任何严肃学术研究不可或缺的前置步骤。

Literature review is an indispensable prerequisite for any serious academic research.

Academic definition.

Synonyms

查阅审查批阅审核

Antonyms

草拟忽略

Common Collocations

审阅合同

审阅报告

审阅稿件

审阅方案

认真审阅

报送审阅

审阅意见

通过审阅

逐字审阅

拒绝审阅

Common Phrases

请审阅

— A standard polite phrase used when submitting work to a superior.

附件是我的周报，请审阅。

审阅人

— The person designated to perform the review.

请在审阅人一栏签字。

审阅完毕

— The state of having finished the review.

文件审阅完毕，可以发出了。

待审阅

— Pending review; waiting to be looked at.

系统里有三份待审阅的文件。

审阅权

— The authority or right to review certain materials.

只有高级经理才有这份报告的审阅权。

审阅流程

— The standardized procedure for reviewing documents.

我们要优化公司的审阅流程。

审阅记录

— The log or history of who reviewed a document and when.

请检查系统的审阅记录。

交叉审阅

— Peer review; when two people of equal rank review each other's work.

在提交之前，我们先进行交叉审阅。

审阅费

— A fee paid for a professional review (e.g., academic).

杂志社会向审稿人支付一定的审阅费。

审阅室

— A room designated for reading and examining materials (often sensitive).

这些机密文件只能在审阅室查看。

Often Confused With

审阅 vs 审查

Censorship or investigation, often looking for bad things. 审阅 is general review.

审阅 vs 批阅

Includes writing comments/grades. 审阅 is the act of examining.

审阅 vs 查阅

To look up information. No approval implied.

Idioms & Expressions

"察纳雅言"

— To listen to and adopt good advice; often follows a leader's 审阅.

领导在审阅报告后察纳雅言，修改了计划。

Literary

"字斟句酌"

— To weigh every word; describes the intensity of a good 审阅.

他审阅公文时总是字斟句酌。

Formal

"一丝不苟"

— Not one thread loose; meticulous. Describes the attitude during 审阅.

她审阅账目时一丝不苟。

Common

"明察秋毫"

— To see clearly the down of an autumn bird; very perceptive during 审阅.

主编审阅稿件时明察秋毫，任何错误都逃不过他的眼睛。

Literary

"过目成诵"

— To remember everything after one reading. Not exactly 审阅, but a related skill.

他有过目成诵的本领，审阅速度极快。

Literary

"走马观花"

— To look at flowers from a galloping horse; a superficial review (antonym of 审阅).

审阅合同时绝不能走马观花。

Common

"博采众长"

— To draw on the strengths of many. The goal of a broad 审阅 process.

通过审阅各方意见，我们博采众长。

Formal

"推敲"

— To weigh and polish; the act of revising after 审阅.

诗稿经过多次审阅和推敲，终于定稿。

Literary

"精益求精"

— To keep improving something already good. The spirit behind 审阅.

我们在审阅过程中精益求精。

Common

"审时度势"

— To judge the timing and assess the situation. A skill needed for strategic 审阅.

在审阅投资计划时，需要审时度势。

Formal

Easily Confused

审阅 vs 审核

Both involve checking for approval.

审核 is more about auditing and facts; 审阅 is about reading and overall quality.

审核账目 (Audit accounts) vs. 审阅报告 (Review report).

审阅 vs 审理

Both start with '审'.

审理 is strictly for legal cases in court.

法院正在审理此案。

审阅 vs 审订

Sounds similar.

审订 implies the final fixing/correction for publication.

审订教材。

审阅 vs 阅读

Both mean reading.

阅读 is general reading for any purpose; 审阅 is for professional evaluation.

阅读小说 vs. 审阅合同。

审阅 vs 检阅

Both involve inspecting.

检阅 is for parades/troops; 审阅 is for documents.

检阅仪仗队。

Sentence Patterns

S + 审阅 + O

老师审阅作业。

请 + S + 审阅

请经理审阅。

S + 正在 + 审阅 + O

主编正在审阅稿件。

经过 + N + 审阅

经过专家审阅。

把 + O + 报送 + S + 审阅

把报告报送领导审阅。

S + 负责 + 审阅 + O

他负责审阅合同。

S + 对 + O + 进行 + 审阅

委员会对方案进行审阅。

S + 秉持...态度 + 审阅

他秉持严谨的态度审阅公文。

Word Family

Nouns

审阅人 (Reviewer)

审阅费 (Review fee)

审阅意见 (Review comments)

Verbs

审核 (Audit)

审查 (Censor)

审定 (Finalize)

审理 (Try a case)

Adjectives

审慎 (Prudent/Cautious)

阅读 (Read)

查阅 (Consult)

批阅 (Mark)

校对 (Proofread)

订阅 (Subscribe)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in professional/academic writing; rare in spoken daily life.

Common Mistakes

Using '审阅' for a novel. → 阅读小说
'审阅' is too formal for leisure reading.
Saying '警察审阅小偷' (Police review thief). → 警察审问小偷
You can't '审阅' a person. '审问' is for interrogation.
Confusing '审阅' with '审查'. → 审查电影
'审查' implies censorship; '审阅' is for professional review.
Using '审阅' to mean 'looking for a lost item'. → 寻找/检查
'审阅' is specifically for reading documents.
Telling your boss: '我会审阅你的报告' (I will review your report). → 我会看您的报告
This sounds like you are the boss. Avoid using it upwards unless invited.

Tips

Verb-Object Pairing

Always pair '审阅' with a written object like a report, plan, or contract. Never use it with a person.

Respect Hierarchy

Use '审阅' to describe your boss's action or to politely ask them to look at your work.

Email Etiquette

Ending an email with '请审阅' shows you are professional and respect the approval process.

Scrutiny

Remember the '审' part means 'to judge.' You are not just reading; you are judging the quality.

Character Stroke

Pay attention to the gate radical in '阅' (阅). It implies looking through a gate/opening.

Peer Review

If you are in university, '审阅' is the word for professors checking your thesis.

Synonym Choice

If you are checking for typos only, use '校对' instead of '审阅'.

Tone Accuracy

The 4th tone on 'yuè' is crucial. If you say it in the 2nd tone, people might think of 'moon' (yuè).

Asking for Help

Between friends, use '帮我看看' instead of '帮我审阅' to avoid sounding stiff.

OA Systems

In Chinese office software, look for the '审阅' button to approve tasks.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Shen' as 'Scrutinize' and 'Yue' as 'Yes/No'. You are reading to say yes or no to a document.

Visual Association

Imagine a high-ranking official with a magnifying glass (审) looking at a scroll (阅).

Word Web

Documents Approval Manager Careful Scrutiny Formal Signature Feedback

Challenge

Try to use '请审阅' in your next formal email to a Chinese colleague instead of '请看'.

Word Origin

The word is a compound of two ancient Chinese characters. '审' (shěn) originally depicted a person distinguishing items inside a house, evolving to mean 'to examine'. '阅' (yuè) depicted a person standing inside a gate counting or inspecting items passing through, evolving to mean 'to read' or 'to inspect'.

Original meaning: To scrutinize and inspect documents or items.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Always use this word when referring to a superior's action to show respect for their authority.

In English, 'review' is broader. '审阅' specifically maps to the formal side of 'review' or 'perusal' by an authority figure.

The 'Three-Review System' (三审制) in Chinese journalism. Government work reports (政府工作报告) being 审阅ed by the National People's Congress. Academic 'Peer Review' is translated as 同行审阅.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Office Approval

请经理审阅
文件已审阅
审阅流程
提交审阅

Academic Publishing

同行审阅
审稿意见
经过三轮审阅
审阅专家

Legal/Government

审阅案卷
法案审阅
报送上级审阅
审阅权限

News/Media

审阅稿件
主编审阅
新闻审阅
审阅通过

Military

审阅部队
检阅/审阅仪式
领导人审阅
现场审阅

Conversation Starters

"经理，您审阅完那份合同了吗？"

"这篇文章需要请专家审阅一下吗？"

"你觉得这个审阅流程是不是太慢了？"

"审阅意见里提到了哪些主要问题？"

"这份报告我已经报送给主管审阅了。"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你提交重要文件给别人审阅的经历。你当时心情如何？

你认为在审阅别人的工作时，最重要的是什么？是找错还是给建议？

如果你的工作被领导严厉地审阅并要求重写，你会怎么做？

讨论一下现代OA（办公自动化）系统如何改变了文件的审阅方式。

写一段关于编辑审阅新手作家稿件的短文。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that would sound too formal. Use '阅读' or '看' instead. '审阅' is for professional work.

Only if you are in an office or school environment talking about work. You wouldn't use it at home with family.

'批改' (pīgǎi) is specifically for correcting mistakes and giving grades, like a teacher with a student's test. '审阅' is more about general review and approval.

Usually, '审阅' implies human judgment. For a computer check, use '扫描' (scan) or '自动检查' (auto-check).

Yes, it is a very polite and professional way to ask a superior to look at an attachment.

Only if they specifically ask you to 'check' it. Usually, '审阅' flows from superior to subordinate.

Not necessarily. It is the *process* of looking for approval. After 审阅, it might be approved or rejected.

It means 'Reviewer' – the person who needs to sign off on the document.

Yes, '同行审阅' (tóngháng shěnyuè) is the standard translation for academic peer review.

No, you '审阅' documents, plans, or manuscripts. To evaluate a person, use '考核' (kǎohé) or '评价' (píngjià).