sondieren
Translation
to probe, to explore, to sound out, to survey
Examples
Die Ärzte sondieren die Wunde.
The doctors are probing the wound.
Wir müssen die Lage sondieren.
We have to explore the situation.
Die Partei sondiert eine mögliche Koalition.
The party is sounding out a possible coalition.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to probe, explore sth. Wir müssen die Lage sondieren.
Similar Words
erkunden (to explore), untersuchen (to investigate), prüfen (to check)
Etymology
From French 'sonder', from Latin 'subundare' (to go under water), related to a sounding line ('Sonde').
Memory Tips
Imagine using a medical 'Sonde' (probe) to carefully explore something, be it a wound or a political situation.