探索|たんさくtansaku[0]heiban (flat)
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- noun, suru verb, transitive verbsearch; lookup; hunt; (item of) research; exploration; investigation
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 探索する(たんさくする) |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 探索します(たんさくします) |
| Negative (nai) | 探索しない(たんさくしない) |
| polite (masen) | 探索しません(たんさくしません) |
| classical zu / nu | 探索せず・探索せぬ(たんさくせず・たんさくせぬ) |
| Past (ta) | 探索した(たんさくした) |
| polite (mashita) | 探索しました(たんさくしました) |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 探索しなかった(たんさくしなかった) |
| polite (masen deshita) | 探索しませんでした(たんさくしませんでした) |
| Te form | 探索して(たんさくして) |
| Potential | 探索できる(たんさくできる) |
| Passive | 探索される(たんさくされる) |
| Causative | 探索させる(たんさくさせる) |
| Causative passive | 探索させられる(たんさくさせられる) |
| Conditional (ba) | 探索すれば(たんさくすれば) |
| tara | 探索したら(たんさくしたら) |
| Volitional | 探索しよう(たんさくしよう) |
| polite (mashou) | 探索しましょう(たんさくしましょう) |
| Imperative | 探索しろ(たんさくしろ) |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
- Synonym捜索そうさくNeutralFor searching for missing people or legally authorized searches such as 「家宅捜索」; 「探索」 is about exploring the unknown.
- SynonymサーチNeutralLoanword for searching and looking things up, mostly online, as in 「サーチエンジン」; 「探索」 is the more written choice.
- Synonym探査たんさNeutralScientific investigation of the unknown, in modern use especially of underground, ocean and space targets like 「月面探査」; 「探索」 is broader and includes searching.
- Synonym検索けんさくNeutralRetrieving information from databases or the internet, as in 「ネット検索」; 「探索」 focuses on the unknown.
- Synonym探求たんきゅうWrittenFormal written word for a quest or pursuit, as in 「真理の探求」; it shares the reading たんきゅう with 「探究」. 「探索」 leans toward searching and probing.
- Synonym探すさがすNeutralThe everyday, most general verb for looking for something, as in 「鍵を探す」; 「探索」 is more written.
- Synonym探検たんけんNeutralAdventurous expeditions into unknown places, as in 「洞窟探検」; 「探索」 is broader, covering study and inquiry as well.
- Related調査ちょうさNeutralThe most general word for investigating actual conditions, as in 「アンケート調査」; 「探索」 focuses on the unknown.
- RelatedリサーチNeutralLoanword for research and investigation, common in business and academic settings; 「探索」 stresses exploring the unknown and searching.
- Related調べしらべNeutralNoun for looking into or checking something; it can also mean a tune or melody; 「探索」 is about exploring the unknown and searching.
- Related探訪たんぼうWrittenFormal written word for visiting places to uncover facts, as in 「史跡探訪」; 「探索」 is about exploring the unknown and searching.
- Related検討けんとうNeutralExamining and weighing up plans or options, as in 「検討中」; 「探索」 is about exploring the unknown and searching.
- Related査察ささつWrittenFormal word for official inspections checking compliance, as in 「核査察」; 「探索」 is about exploring the unknown and searching.
- Related追及ついきゅうNeutralPursuing responsibility or blame and pressing someone over it, as in 「責任を追及」; 「探索」 is about exploring the unknown.
- Related探し回るさがしまわるNeutralColloquial verb for hunting around everywhere for something, as in 「街中を探し回る」; 「探索」 is more written.
- Related探究たんきゅうWrittenFormal written word for deep study in pursuit of truth, as in 「真理の探究」; 「探索」 leans toward searching and probing.
- Related吟味ぎんみNeutralCarefully scrutinizing and judging quality, as in 「材料を吟味」; 「探索」 focuses on the unknown.
- Related探るさぐるNeutralVerb for groping for something by feel or secretly probing intentions, as in 「真意を探る」; 「探索」 is a noun and leans written.
- Related究明きゅうめいWrittenFormal word for thoroughly tracking down and clarifying causes or the truth, as in 「原因究明」; 「探索」 is about exploring the unknown.
- Related捜査そうさNeutralPolice investigation of criminal cases, as in 「捜査本部」; 「探索」 is about exploring the unknown and searching.
- Related追求ついきゅうNeutralChasing after ideals or gains, as in 「利益を追求」; 「探索」 is about exploring the unknown.
- Related探りさぐりNeutralNoun for sounding someone out or probing, as in 「探りを入れる」; 「探索」 is about exploring the unknown.
- Related詮索せんさくNeutralPrying into details and speculating about others' affairs, often with a negative shade; 「探索」 is about exploring the unknown.
- Related漁りあさりNeutralMostly a suffix for rummaging or scrounging around, sometimes pejorative as in 「女漁り」; also covers fishing and shellfish gathering; 「探索」 targets the unknown.
Default to 「探索」 for exploring unknown territory or seeking out new possibilities, as in 「宇宙探索」 and 「探索アルゴリズム」. Use 「捜索」 for hunting a missing person or a legal search, 「検索」 for looking things up online, 「探検」 for adventurous expeditions, and the verb 「探す」 for everyday finding. The rest name specific kinds of investigation—「調査」 for general inquiries, 「捜査」 for police work, 「探査」 for scientific probing, 「探究」 and 「探求」 for pursuing truth—so reach for 「探索」 when the point is venturing into the unknown.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


