查阅 (chá yuè) is a formal, written verb meaning 'to consult' or 'to look up' — typically referring to carefully examining documents, records, books, or digital resources to find specific information. The first character 查 (chá) means 'to investigate' or 'to check', while 阅 (yuè) means 'to read' or 'to peruse'; together, they emphasize purposeful, attentive reading for reference rather than casual browsing. It’s commonly used in academic, administrative, and professional contexts — such as researching in a library, reviewing official files, or checking historical archives.

This verb usually takes a direct object naming the material consulted (e.g., 资料, 文件, 词典, 档案), and often appears in written Chinese or formal speech. It implies intentionality and diligence — not just skimming, but actively searching for relevant content. Unlike more colloquial verbs like 看 (kàn) or 找 (zhǎo), 查阅 carries a tone of seriousness and procedural correctness, making it frequent in instructions, reports, and official guidelines.