How to say "retrieval" in Japanese

Choosing the right word
  • 検索けんさくCommon
    noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers retrieval of information: searching for and finding data, as when searching the internet or looking up a word in a dictionary; the emphasis is on locating information, not on physically taking something back.
    政府せいふはその問題もんだいの決定けってい案あんをまだ検索けんさく中ちゅうだ。↗
    The government is still groping for a solution to the problem.
  • 回収かいしゅうJLPT N1approx.Common
    noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers retrieval as collection or recovery: physically gathering things up and taking them back in. It is not used for searching out information; for retrieving data or facts, 検索 is the word.
    いよいよ賭け金かけきんを回収かいしゅうするときがきました。↗
    It's time to call in our chips.

Use 検索 for retrieval of information — searching for and calling up data, as on the internet — and 回収 for retrieval meaning collection or recovery, physically getting things back.

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

Japanese equivalents
  • 検索けんさくlooking up (e.g. a word in a dictionary)
  • 回収かいしゅうcollection
  • 挽回ばんかいrecovery
  • 想起そうきrecall (memory)
  • 再生さいせいrecall (memory)
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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