检查 means 'to inspect' or 'to examine'—a verb describing the careful, systematic observation or testing of something to assess its condition, correctness, or safety. The character 检 (jiǎn) conveys 'to verify' or 'to check', often implying scrutiny for accuracy or compliance, while 查 (chá) means 'to investigate' or 'to look up', emphasizing active searching or inquiry. Together, they form a compound verb that stresses thoroughness and purpose: it’s not casual looking, but deliberate evaluation.

This word is commonly used in formal, professional, or medical contexts—such as health check-ups (体检), quality control in manufacturing, security screening at airports, or reviewing documents for errors. It can be transitive (taking a direct object, e.g., 检查身体) or used in passive constructions (e.g., 被检查). Unlike more casual verbs like 看 (kàn, 'to look'), 检查 implies authority, procedure, and expectation of standards.