tànwàng: 探望 - To Visit (someone)

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• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 探望 (tànwàng), a key Chinese verb for “to visit”. Unlike a casual drop-by, `tànwàng` implies a special-purpose visit driven by care, concern, or respect, such as visiting an elderly relative, a sick friend in the hospital, or a teacher you haven't seen in a long time. This page breaks down its cultural significance, practical usage, and how it differs from similar words like `看 (kàn)`.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tànwàng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To visit someone, typically out of care, concern, or respect.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 探望 (tànwàng) as a “visit with a purpose.” It's not for a casual hangout. It's the word you use when you make a specific trip to check on someone's well-being. It carries a warm and formal feeling, showing that you value the person you are visiting. This is the act of visiting your grandparents in their hometown, checking on a colleague after surgery, or paying respects to a former mentor.

• 探 (tàn): This character means “to explore,” “to probe,” or “to find out.” The hand radical `扌` on the left suggests an action done with hands, a deliberate seeking.
• 望 (wàng): This character means “to gaze into the distance,” “to look toward,” or “to hope.” It paints a picture of someone standing and looking far away, full of expectation.
• Combined Meaning: The characters together create a powerful image: to deliberately go forth (`探`) to see someone you have been thinking of from afar (`望`). It captures the essence of making a special journey, big or small, to check on another person's welfare.

探望 (tànwàng) is deeply woven into the fabric of Chinese culture, reflecting the importance of relationships and social obligations. In the West, “visiting” can be a very casual affair. In China, a `探望` visit is a more significant, ritualized event that reinforces social bonds. It's a tangible expression of core values like:

• Filial Piety (孝, xiàoshùn): Children are expected to `探望` their parents and grandparents regularly, especially during holidays like the Spring Festival. This is not just a nice thing to do; it's a fundamental duty that demonstrates respect and care for one's elders.
• Group Cohesion and Guanxi (关系): To `探望` a sick colleague, a boss, or a friend who has suffered a setback is to maintain and strengthen your `关系` (guānxi), or social network. It shows you are a reliable and caring member of the group.
• The Importance of Gifts: A `探望` visit is rarely empty-handed. It is customary to bring a small gift (`礼物, lǐwù`), such as a basket of fruit, a carton of milk, or nutritional supplements. This gift isn't a payment, but a token of your good wishes and sincerity. For a Western learner, this is a crucial point: showing up without a small gift when you `探望` someone (especially the sick or elderly) can be seen as impolite.

探望 (tànwàng) is a common and important verb used in specific, heartfelt contexts.

• Visiting Family and Elders: This is its most common use. You `探望` family you don't see every day.
  • e.g., 我下周末要回老家探望爷爷奶奶。 (Wǒ xià zhōumò yào huí lǎojiā tànwàng yéye nǎinai.) - I'm going back to my hometown next weekend to visit my grandparents.
• Visiting the Sick or Those in Need: This is the second most common scenario. When someone is in the hospital, recovering at home, or has experienced a personal tragedy, you go to `探望` them to offer support.
  • e.g., 我们应该组织一下，一起去医院探望王老师。 (Wǒmen yīnggāi zǔzhī yīxià, yīqǐ qù yīyuàn tànwàng Wáng lǎoshī.) - We should organize a time to go visit Teacher Wang together at the hospital.
• Formal and Respectful Visits: It can be used for visiting someone of a higher status or whom you deeply respect, like a former professor or mentor.
  • e.g., 毕业十年了，我们想找个时间去探望大学的辅导员。 (Bìyè shí nián le, wǒmen xiǎng zhǎo ge shíjiān qù tànwàng dàxué de fǔdǎoyuán.) - It's been ten years since graduation, we want to find a time to visit our university counselor.

The connotation is always positive, respectful, and warm. It is more formal than a casual “get-together.”

• Example 1:
  • 我每个月都至少去探望一次外婆。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měi ge yuè dōu zhìshǎo qù tànwàng yī cì wàipó.
  • English: I go to visit my maternal grandmother at least once a month.
  • Analysis: This shows a regular, dutiful visit to an elderly family member, a classic use of `探望`.
• Example 2:
  • 听说你生病了，我特地来看看你，探望一下。
  • Pinyin: Tīngshuō nǐ shēngbìng le, wǒ tèdì lái kànkan nǐ, tànwàng yīxià.
  • English: I heard you were sick, so I came especially to see you and check on you.
  • Analysis: The phrase `探望一下` (tànwàng yīxià) softens the formality slightly, making it sound warm and personal. `特地` (tèdì - especially) reinforces the deliberate nature of the visit.
• Example 3:
  • 老板下午要去医院探望受伤的员工。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn xiàwǔ yào qù yīyuàn tànwàng shòushāng de yuángōng.
  • English: The boss is going to the hospital this afternoon to visit the injured employee.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates care within a workplace hierarchy. The boss visiting an employee shows concern and helps maintain good morale.
• Example 4:
  • 朋友从国外回来，我明天要去机场接他，然后探望他的父母。
  • Pinyin: Péngyou cóng guówài huílái, wǒ míngtiān yào qù jīchǎng jiē tā, ránhòu tànwàng tā de fùmǔ.
  • English: My friend is coming back from abroad; I'm going to the airport to pick him up tomorrow and then visit his parents.
  • Analysis: Visiting a friend's parents is a sign of deep respect and close friendship. `探望` is the perfect word here.
• Example 5:
  • 你什么时候有空？我们一起去探望李教授吧。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shénme shíhou yǒu kòng? Wǒmen yīqǐ qù tànwàng Lǐ jiàoshòu ba.
  • English: When are you free? Let's go visit Professor Li together.
  • Analysis: This is a common way to propose a `探望` visit, showing respect for a teacher or mentor.
• Example 6:
  • 谢谢你的探望，你带来的水果很新鲜。
  • Pinyin: Xièxie nǐ de tànwàng, nǐ dài lái de shuǐguǒ hěn xīnxiān.
  • English: Thank you for your visit. The fruit you brought is very fresh.
  • Analysis: Here, `探望` is used as a noun (“your visit”). This also highlights the cultural practice of bringing gifts.
• Example 7:
  • 由于距离太远，他只能通过视频电话来探望家人。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú jùlí tài yuǎn, tā zhǐ néng tōngguò shìpín diànhuà lái tànwàng jiārén.
  • English: Because the distance is too great, he can only visit his family via video call.
  • Analysis: This shows how the concept of `探望` is adapting to modern technology. The intent of checking in with care is still present.
• Example 8:
  • 每年春节，成千上万的人们返回家乡探望亲人。
  • Pinyin: Měi nián Chūnjié, chéng qiān shàng wàn de rénmen fǎnhuí jiāxiāng tànwàng qīnrén.
  • English: Every Spring Festival, thousands upon thousands of people return to their hometowns to visit their relatives.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes a major cultural phenomenon in China, the Spring Festival travel rush, which is fundamentally driven by the need to `探望` family.
• Example 9:
  • 我们不应该在病人需要休息的时候去探望他。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bù yīnggāi zài bìngrén xūyào xiūxi de shíhou qù tànwàng tā.
  • English: We shouldn't go to visit the patient when he needs to rest.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides practical advice about the etiquette of `探望`, showing that while the visit is important, the well-being of the person being visited comes first.
• Example 10:
  • 总理今天探望了灾区人民。
  • Pinyin: Zǒnglǐ jīntiān tànwàng le zāiqū rénmín.
  • English: The Premier visited the people in the disaster area today.
  • Analysis: This is a formal, official usage often seen in news reports. It conveys a sense of state-level care and concern for citizens.

• `探望 (tànwàng)` vs. `看 (kàn)`: This is the most critical distinction for learners.
  • `探望 (tànwàng)` is for visiting people in specific situations (sick, elderly, far away) and implies care and formality.
  • `看 (kàn)` can also mean “to visit,” but it's much more casual and general. You `看` a friend for coffee or a movie.
  • Mistake: Saying `我们去探望电影吧` (Wǒmen qù tànwàng diànyǐng ba - “Let's go `探望` a movie”). This is wrong. `探望` is for people only. You should say `我们去看电影吧` (Wǒmen qù kàn diànyǐng ba).
  • Mistake: Using `探望` for a casual hangout. If you tell your friend `我明天去探望你` (I'll come `探望` you tomorrow) when you just plan to play video games, it will sound overly dramatic and strange. You should just say `我明天去找你` (Wǒ míngtiān qù zhǎo nǐ) or `我明天去看你` (Wǒ míngtiān qù kàn nǐ).
• `探望 (tànwàng)` vs. `拜访 (bàifǎng)`:
  • `拜访 (bàifǎng)` is also a formal visit, but it emphasizes respect for someone of higher social standing or someone you wish to ask a favor of. You `拜访` a potential business client or a renowned scholar. `探望` emphasizes care and well-being.

• 看 (kàn) - The general, more casual term for “to see” or “to visit” a person or a thing.
• 看望 (kànwàng) - A very close synonym to `探望`. They are often interchangeable, though `探望` can feel slightly more formal.
• 拜访 (bàifǎng) - A formal and respectful visit, usually to a superior, elder, or someone you wish to consult.
• 访问 (fǎngwèn) - A very formal, official visit (e.g., diplomatic, academic, media interview).
• 礼物 (lǐwù) - A gift; an essential item to bring when you `探望` someone to show sincerity.
• 关心 (guānxīn) - To be concerned about, to care for. This is the emotion that motivates a `探望` visit.
• 孝顺 (xiàoshùn) - Filial piety; the cultural value that obligates one to `探望` and care for parents and elders.
• 慰问 (wèiwèn) - To express sympathy and consolation (to condole). This is often the purpose of a `探望` visit to someone who is suffering.