The common expressions
找 (zhǎo)
This is the most common way to say “looking for” in Chinese. It is used in everyday situations to mean searching or trying to find something.
e.g.
我在找我的手机。 (Wǒ zài zhǎo wǒ de shǒujī.) I am looking for my phone.
你在找谁？ (Nǐ zhǎo shéi?) Who are you looking for?
他找不到钥匙了。 (Tā zhǎo bù dào yàoshi le.) He can’t find his keys.
寻找 (xúnzhǎo)
This phrase is more formal than “找” and can be used to describe looking for something or someone with more intent or effort.
e.g.
我们正在寻找新的合作伙伴。 (Wǒmen zhèngzài xúnzhǎo xīn de hézuò huǒbàn.) We are looking for new business partners.
他花了很多时间寻找失踪的狗。 (Tā huā le hěn duō shíjiān xúnzhǎo shīzōng de gǒu.) He spent a lot of time looking for his missing dog.
科学家一直在寻找外星生命的迹象。 (Kēxuéjiā yīzhí zài xúnzhǎo wàixīng shēngmìng de jìxiàng.) Scientists have been looking for signs of extraterrestrial life.
The extended phrases to express “looking for” in Chinese
物色 (wùsè)
This word means “to look for” or “to scout for” and is often used in a professional or formal context, such as finding a candidate for a job.
e.g.
我们在物色一个新的经理。 (Wǒmen zài wùsè yīgè xīn de jīnglǐ.) We are looking for a new manager.
他们正在物色一名合适的演员。 (Tāmen zhèngzài wùsè yī míng héshì de yǎnyuán.) They are scouting for a suitable actor.
公司正在物色一个新的设计师。 (Gōngsī zhèngzài wùsè yīgè xīn de shèjì shī.) The company is looking for a new designer.
搜寻 (sōuxún)
This term means “to search for” and is often used in the context of a detailed or thorough search, such as searching a specific area.
e.g.
警察正在搜寻犯罪嫌疑人。 (Jǐngchá zhèngzài sōuxún fànzuì xiányí rén.) The police are searching for the criminal suspect.
他们正在森林中搜寻失踪的人。 (Tāmen zhèngzài sēnlín zhōng sōuxún shīzōng de rén.) They are searching for the missing person in the forest.
我们用无人机来搜寻目标。 (Wǒmen yòng wúrénjī lái sōuxún mùbiāo.) We are using drones to search for the target.
找寻 (zhǎoxún)
This is a formal or literary way of saying “looking for,” often used in written language.
e.g.
他一直在找寻人生的意义。 (Tā yīzhí zài zhǎoxún rénshēng de yìyì.) He has been looking for the meaning of life.
我们在找寻解决问题的方法。 (Wǒmen zài zhǎoxún jiějué wèntí de fāngfǎ.) We are looking for ways to solve the problem.
她在找寻内心的平静。 (Tā zài zhǎoxún nèixīn de píngjìng.) She is looking for inner peace.
探寻 (tànxún)
This term means “to explore” or “to look for” in the sense of investigating or searching for deeper understanding.
e.g.
我们在探寻宇宙的奥秘。 (Wǒmen zài tànxún yǔzhòu de àomì.) We are exploring the mysteries of the universe.
他一直在探寻更好的生活方式。 (Tā yīzhí zài tànxún gèng hǎo de shēnghuó fāngshì.) He has been looking for a better way of life.
科学家们在探寻新的能源。 (Kēxuéjiāmen zài tànxún xīn de néngyuán.) Scientists are searching for new sources of energy.
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