探検・探険|たんけんtanken[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
探検探検 is the more common kanji-only spelling; use it when writing this word for exploration or an expedition.
探険探険 is a less common kanji-only spelling; choose 探検 instead when you need to write the word.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbexploration; expedition
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 探検する（たんけんする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 探検します（たんけんします） |
| Negative (nai) | 探検しない（たんけんしない） |
| polite (masen) | 探検しません（たんけんしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 探検せず・探検せぬ（たんけんせず・たんけんせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 探検した（たんけんした） |
| polite (mashita) | 探検しました（たんけんしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 探検しなかった（たんけんしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 探検しませんでした（たんけんしませんでした） |
| Te form | 探検して（たんけんして） |
| Potential | 探検できる（たんけんできる） |
| Passive | 探検される（たんけんされる） |
| Causative | 探検させる（たんけんさせる） |
| Causative passive | 探検させられる（たんけんさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 探検すれば（たんけんすれば） |
| tara | 探検したら（たんけんしたら） |
| Volitional | 探検しよう（たんけんしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 探検しましょう（たんけんしましょう） |
| Imperative | 探検しろ（たんけんしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym探索たんさくNeutralCovers seeking out the unknown or tracking down whereabouts, as in 「宇宙探索」; 探検 stresses physically entering unknown territory yourself.
- Related探求たんきゅうWrittenWritten/formal prose for pursuing abstract goals like truth or happiness; 探検 is about hands-on field exploration.
- Related探究たんきゅうWrittenWritten/formal prose for deep study aimed at establishing facts or truth, as in 「真理の探究」; 探検 is about field exploration.
- Related探し回るさがしまわるNeutralMeans hunting around from place to place; 探検 is about venturing deep into unknown terrain.
- Related探るさぐるNeutralA verb for groping for something or secretly probing others' thoughts and moves; 探検 is a noun for on-site exploration.
- Related探訪たんぼうNeutralVisiting a site or people to uncover the truth behind events, or touring famous spots; 探検 means entering unknown regions.
- RelatedフィールドワークNeutralA loanword for academic fieldwork and on-site investigation; 探検 stresses entering unknown territory.
- Related捜索そうさくNeutralFor searching for missing people or legally authorized searches of homes; 探検 is about exploration and adventure.
- Related探すさがすNeutralThe all-purpose verb for looking for something; 探検 is about venturing deep into the unknown.
Use 「探検」 for personally entering unknown regions such as caves or the poles to investigate on-site, as in 「探検隊」. For seeking the unknown pick 「探索」, for deep study 「探究」, for searches for missing people or of premises 「捜索」, and for everyday looking 「探す」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
