检查

You use it as a verb most of the time. Just put the object you are verifying right after it. For example, 检查作业 means checking homework. If you want to sound more casual, you can double it up as 检查检查. This makes it sound less like a strict interrogation and more like a friendly once-over. It is a very active word that implies you are looking for errors or problems.

Use it when you're at the airport and the security guard wants to see your bag. Use it when your Chinese teacher hands back a test and tells you to look for mistakes. It is also the standard word for medical check-ups. If you go to the hospital, the doctor will 检查 your body. It is perfect for any situation where accuracy and safety are the priorities. Even in dating, you might 'check' your reflection in a window before walking into the cafe!

Don't use 检查 if you are just 'checking out' a cool new store or a cute person walking by. For that, use 看 or 瞧. Also, don't use it for 'checking' a box on a list; 勾选 is better for that. It's not for 'checking in' to a hotel either—that has its own special word, 入住. 检查 implies a level of scrutiny or looking for a potential flaw.

In China, there is a huge emphasis on precision in education and work. From a young age, kids are told to 检查 their work multiple times. There is even a specific type of 'self-criticism' essay called a 检讨 which uses the same first character. It reflects a culture that values being meticulous and avoiding 'losing face' through careless mistakes. It’s about being responsible and thorough.

You will often hear 体检, which is short for 身体检查 (physical exam). In tech circles, you might hear 检查更新 for 'check for updates.' If someone is being very bossy, they might say 检查一下, which sounds like a command. On the flip side, a friend might say it softly to help you avoid a mistake. It’s a versatile word that fits in a briefcase or a backpack.