How to say "discover" in Japanese

• 見つけるみつけるJLPT N4approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers 'discover' in the concrete sense of finding or coming across something — a lost item, a mistake, a place you stumble upon. The natural choice when you physically locate or spot something.
  探さがしていた珍本ちんぽんを見みつけた。↗

  I found a rare book I had been looking for.
• 見出すみいだすCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'discover' as in bringing something unnoticed to light through one's own attention or discernment — talent, potential, a truth. Typical of spotting a promising person or recognizing hidden value.
  奴隷どれいたちは宗教しゅうきょうに活力かつりょくを見みいだす。↗

  Slaves find power in religion.
• 見破るみやぶるCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbOnly fits 'discover' when it means seeing through something meant to deceive — a lie, a disguise, a plot. For any other kind of discovering, this is not the word you want.
  私には彼かれのうそが見破みやぶれなかった。↗

  I couldn't see through his lies.
• 知るしるJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbFits 'discover' only in the weak sense of coming to know or learn of a fact — discovering that someone has moved, for instance. It really means to know or become aware, not to find something.
• ディスカバーCommon
  nounThe direct loanword of 'discover'. Use it when you want the English word's flavor, as in titles, slogans, and advertising copy; in plain narration one of the native verbs is the safer pick.

Use 「見つける」 for finding or spotting something, 「見出す」 for discovering worth or possibility through attention, 「見破る」 for seeing through deception, 「知る」 for coming to know a fact, and 「ディスカバー」 for the English-flavored loanword.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 見つけるみつけるto find
• 見出すみいだすto find out
• 見破るみやぶるto see through (a plot, lie, etc.)
• 知るしるto know
• ディスカバーdiscover
• 探し当てるさがしあてるto find (after searching everywhere)
• 見つけ出すみつけだすto find out
• めっけるto find
• みっけるto find
• 探し出すさがしだすto track down
• 紐解くひもとくto unravel (e.g. a mystery)
• 洗い出すあらいだすto discover (by investigation)
• 目を開くめをひらくto open one's eyes (to the truth, a new way of thinking, etc.)