九月

jiǔ yuè

研究

yánjiū

to research

"To grind away at something in order to get to its depths"

研 "to grind" or "to polish"

究 "to examine deeply" or "to trace to the end"

研究所

yánjiūsuǒ

research institute

研究 to research / to study

所    a place (a general term used to indicate a

       location where something happens)

追究

zhuījiū

to investigate thoroughly, to get to the root of (a problem)

"to pursue an issue until its root is uncovered"

追 "to chase," "to pursue," or "to trace back"

究 "to examine deeply" or "to trace to the end"

追 provides the directional force (pursuing, tracking down), while 究 adds the depth of examination, getting to the bottom of something

讲究

jiǎngjiu

to be particular about, to pay attention to detail

"to talk about something in detail & examine it carefully"

讲 "to speak"; "to emphasize" or "to stress"

究 "to examine deeply" or "to trace to the end"

讲 introduces the idea of deliberate emphasis ("caring about" something), while 究 adds the notion of meticulousness or refinement

究明

jiūmíng

to elucidate,  to clarify through investigation (common in academic papers)

"to investigate until the truth becomes clear"

究 "to examine deeply" or "to trace to the end"

明 "bright," "clear," or "to understand"

究竟

jiūjìng

after all, thoroughly

"to investigate something to its very end"

究 "to examine deeply" or "to trace to the end"

竟 "to finish/complete", "ultimately", "in the end"

复杂

fùzá

complex

"many layered and mixed things"

复 "to repeat," "to duplicate," or "multiple layers"

杂 "mixed," "varied," or "miscellaneous"

not just many parts (复), but many miscellaneous (杂 ) parts interacting in intricate ways (杂)

混杂

hùnzá

mixed, jumbled

"thoroughly blended, with elements indistinct or disordered"

混 "to mix," "to blend," or "to muddle" 

杂 "mixed," "varied," or "miscellaneous"

 杂志

zázhì

magazine

"a collection of assorted writings or records"

杂 "mixed," "varied," or "miscellaneous"

志 "to record" or "chronicle"

杂技

zájì

acrobatics

“mixed skills”

杂 "mixed," "varied," or "miscellaneous"

技 "skill," "art," or "performance technique"

药丸

yàowán

pill

"medicine pellet"

药 "medicine" or "drug"

丸 "small round mass" or "pellet"

弹丸

dànwán

bullet or projectile pellet (used in slingshots or early firearms)

"to shoot a small round object"

弹 to shoot, to bounce, a bullet

丸 "small round mass" or "pellet"

肉丸

ròu wán

meatball

丸 "small round mass" or "pellet"