审查 (shěn chá) is a formal verb meaning 'to examine,' 'to investigate,' or 'to review'—especially in official, legal, medical, or administrative contexts. The first character 审 (shěn) conveys careful scrutiny or judgment, as in 'to scrutinize' or 'to adjudicate'; the second character 查 (chá) means 'to check' or 'to investigate.' Together, they emphasize a thorough, authoritative inspection, often conducted by professionals or institutions to verify compliance, accuracy, safety, or legitimacy.

This word is commonly used when referring to reviewing documents, inspecting products, evaluating applications, or auditing procedures. It carries a tone of formality and seriousness—it’s not used for casual observation (e.g., glancing at a photo). You’ll encounter it frequently in government, healthcare, education, and media regulation—for instance, when hospitals review clinical trial protocols or when regulators inspect food safety records.