审核 (shěn hé) is a verb meaning 'to verify,' 'to audit,' or 'to check for accuracy and compliance.' It combines 审 (shěn), which means 'to examine carefully' or 'to review,' and 核 (hé), meaning 'to verify' or 'to check against a standard.' Together, they emphasize a thorough, formal inspection—often by an authority—to ensure correctness, legality, or adherence to rules. This word implies official scrutiny rather than casual checking.

审核 is commonly used in administrative, financial, medical, and educational contexts: for instance, reviewing applications, inspecting financial records, approving clinical trial protocols, or assessing academic submissions. It typically appears in written or professional spoken Chinese—not in casual conversation—and often takes a noun object (e.g., 审核材料, 审核资格). The action usually precedes approval or rejection, making it a gatekeeping step in formal processes.