巡逻 (xún luó) is a verb meaning 'to patrol' — to move through an area regularly to monitor safety, enforce rules, or prevent trouble. The character 巡 (xún) means 'to inspect' or 'to tour', while 逻 (luó) carries the sense of 'to survey' or 'to scout'; together, they emphasize systematic, vigilant movement across a defined space. It’s commonly used in contexts involving security, law enforcement, military operations, or even wildlife conservation.

This word implies purposeful, repeated movement rather than casual walking. It often appears with time or location modifiers (e.g., 每天巡逻, 在边境巡逻) and typically takes an agent (a person or group) performing the action. While it can be used literally for physical movement, it’s rarely used metaphorically. The term conveys formality and responsibility — you wouldn’t use it for a friend checking your backyard; it belongs to guards, soldiers, park rangers, or surveillance drones.