How to say "searching" in Japanese

• 模索もさくJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers searching for an answer, solution, or similar abstract goal; the nuance is groping or fumbling around before finding one, as when a company keeps searching for a way out of its difficulties.
• 探訪たんぼうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbSeldom the word you want for plain 'searching': it really denotes hunting for a news story, and by extension the journalist doing so, as when a reporter searches a place for material.
• 物色ぶっしょくCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbUsed when searching with selection in mind: looking for or hunting out a suitable thing or person, as when you search for the right candidate or item for some purpose.
  コンピューターを物色ぶっしょくして歩あるいたあげく、デイヴィドより２００ドル安やすい値段ねだんで手てに入いれた。↗

  I shopped around for my computer and ended up paying $200 less than David.

Use 模索 for searching in the abstract—for an answer, solution, or way forward; 物色 for hunting out a suitable thing or person; 探訪 is really journalistic, for hunting up news stories rather than general searching.

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

• 模索もさくgroping (for)
• 探訪たんぼうsearching
• 物色ぶっしょくlooking for (a suitable thing or person)
• 漁りあさりsearching
• お尋ねおたずねsearching