In Chinese society, which often values structure, process, and official channels, 调查 (diàochá) is a word that carries significant weight. It is most commonly associated with formal inquiries by official bodies like the government (`政府 zhèngfǔ`), the police (`警察 jǐngchá`), or large corporations. A 调查 implies seriousness and the pursuit of objective truth. A key difference for Western learners is that 调查 (diàochá) covers a much broader range of activities than the English word “investigation.” While “investigation” often brings to mind crime scenes and detectives, 调查 also serves as the primary word for “survey.”
调查 (diàochá) encompasses both of these. A `市场调查 (shìchǎng diàochá)` is a “market survey,” and a `刑事调查 (xíngshì diàochá)` is a “criminal investigation.” Understanding this dual meaning is crucial for using the word correctly.
调查 (diàochá) is a common and important word used across various formal and semi-formal contexts.
Its connotation is generally neutral and objective. It's about the process of finding facts, not passing judgment. While it's a formal word, you might hear it in a slightly more casual office setting, for example, a manager asking an employee to “look into” a client complaint (`你去调查一下`).