explain · examine

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is せん. It has 13 strokes. In 所詮, it appears in an expression marking an ultimate conclusion; in 詮索, it appears in a word for detailed probing.
• Basic usage: 所詮 is read しょせん, and 詮索 is read せんさく.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 所詮 and 詮索
  • 所詮 means after all or merely. It is an adverb read しょせん that adds the sense of after all or ultimately.
  • 所詮うわさにすぎないので気にしなくていい。 means “After all, it is only a rumor, so you do not need to worry.”
  • 詮索 means prying or probing. It is a noun read せんさく for prying or probing into another person's circumstances or private life.
  • 人の私生活をむやみに詮索してはいけない。 means “You should not pry carelessly into another person's private life.”