捜索|そうさくsousaku[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbsearch (esp. for someone or something missing); manhunt
    私わたしたちは散開さんかいして森もりの中なかを捜索そうさくした。↗
    We spread out and began to search through the woods.
  2. noun, suru verb, transitive verb, lawlegally authorized search of a person, building, etc.
Conjugation
Dictionary form捜索する(そうさくする)
Polite (masu)捜索します(そうさくします)
Negative (nai)捜索しない(そうさくしない)
polite (masen)捜索しません(そうさくしません)
classical zu / nu捜索せず・捜索せぬ(そうさくせず・そうさくせぬ)
Past (ta)捜索した(そうさくした)
polite (mashita)捜索しました(そうさくしました)
Past negative (nakatta)捜索しなかった(そうさくしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)捜索しませんでした(そうさくしませんでした)
Te form捜索して(そうさくして)
Potential捜索できる(そうさくできる)
Passive捜索される(そうさくされる)
Causative捜索させる(そうさくさせる)
Causative passive捜索させられる(そうさくさせられる)
Conditional (ba)捜索すれば(そうさくすれば)
tara捜索したら(そうさくしたら)
Volitional捜索しよう(そうさくしよう)
polite (mashou)捜索しましょう(そうさくしましょう)
Imperative捜索しろ(そうさくしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym探索たんさくWrittenWritten word for exploring or hunting into the unknown, as in 「宇宙探索」; 捜索 targets missing people or legally authorized searches.
  • SynonymサーチNeutralA loanword meaning search; mostly used in IT contexts.
  • Synonym探すさがすNeutralThe most common word for looking for things or people; 捜索 is more formal, for missing persons or legal searches.
  • Related検索けんさくNeutralInformation retrieval, as in 「ネットで検索」; leans toward looking things up on a computer rather than physical searching.
  • Related探し求めるさがしもとめるNeutralSeeking something single-mindedly, as in 「答えを探し求める」; suggests a long-term pursuit rather than a one-off search.
  • Related調査ちょうさNeutralInvestigating actual conditions, as in 「実態調査」; can also cover tracing someone's whereabouts, while 捜索 is a physical hunt or legal search.
  • Related探し回るさがしまわるNeutralHunting around everywhere for something, as in 「町中を探し回る」; suggests an individual going from place to place.
  • Related探求たんきゅうWrittenWritten word for seeking or pursuing something, as in 「真理の探求」; it leans toward abstract goals like truth, while 捜索 hunts for the missing or is a legal search.
  • Related探るさぐるNeutralFeeling or groping for something, or secretly probing; leans toward using the hands or covert investigation.
  • Related調べしらべNeutralA noun for investigation or inspection, also interrogation; 捜索 focuses on finding people or things.

Use 「捜索」 for searching for missing people or things and legally authorized searches, as in 「行方不明者の捜索」 and 「家宅捜索」. For everyday looking, say 「探す」; for looking up information, 「検索」; for pursuing abstract goals, 「探求」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 行方不明ゆくえふめいの人ひとや物ものを捜し求さがしもとめること。
  2. 裁判所さいばんしょ・検察けんさつなどが証拠しょうこ物件ぶっけんや犯人はんにんを発見はっけんするために強制的きょうせいてきに調しらべること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

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

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