究明|きゅうめいkyuumei[0]heiban (flat)

Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbinvestigation (esp. in academic and scientific contexts); finding out the facts; bringing (a matter) to light; inquiring into
    われわれの宇宙うちゅうはまだ生うまれて間まもないが、理論家りろんかたちはその最後さいごの姿すがたを究明きゅうめいすることにやっきになっている。↗
    Although our universe is still young, theorists are busy exploring its ultimate fate.
Conjugation
Dictionary form究明する(きゅうめいする)
Polite (masu)究明します(きゅうめいします)
Negative (nai)究明しない(きゅうめいしない)
polite (masen)究明しません(きゅうめいしません)
classical zu / nu究明せず・究明せぬ(きゅうめいせず・きゅうめいせぬ)
Past (ta)究明した(きゅうめいした)
polite (mashita)究明しました(きゅうめいしました)
Past negative (nakatta)究明しなかった(きゅうめいしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)究明しませんでした(きゅうめいしませんでした)
Te form究明して(きゅうめいして)
Potential究明できる(きゅうめいできる)
Passive究明される(きゅうめいされる)
Causative究明させる(きゅうめいさせる)
Causative passive究明させられる(きゅうめいさせられる)
Conditional (ba)究明すれば(きゅうめいすれば)
tara究明したら(きゅうめいしたら)
Volitional究明しよう(きゅうめいしよう)
polite (mashou)究明しましょう(きゅうめいしましょう)
Imperative究明しろ(きゅうめいしろ)

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym調査ちょうさNeutralThe all-purpose word for investigating the actual state of things; broad in scope. 「究明」 zeroes in on digging until the truth or cause comes to light.
  • Synonym探究たんきゅうWrittenWritten/formal: probing deeply into facts and truth; the emphasis is on the quest itself. 「究明」 stresses nailing down the truth or cause through that pursuit.
  • Synonym考証こうしょうWrittenWritten/formal: examining historical documents and evidence, as in 「時代考証」. 「究明」 is about establishing the truth or cause.
  • Synonym追究ついきゅうNeutralDigging to the bottom of scholarship or truth, as in 「真理を追究する」. Close to 「究明」 but stresses the process of pursuit; 「究明」 the result of finding out.
  • Synonym捜査そうさNeutralCriminal investigation by the police, prosecutors and similar bodies, as in 「捜査本部」. 「究明」 is not limited to criminal cases; it targets truth and cause.
  • Synonym討究とうきゅうWrittenWritten/formal word for studying something in depth; in everyday speech say 「研究」. 「究明」 more pointedly stresses settling the question at hand.
  • Synonym考究こうきゅうWrittenWritten/formal: thinking through and studying a subject carefully. 「究明」 centers on getting at the truth or cause.
  • RelatedリサーチNeutralLoanword for research or investigation, covering market research, academic work and more. 「究明」 is about getting to the truth or cause.
  • Related研究けんきゅうNeutralSystematic academic study, as in 「研究論文」. 「究明」 stresses thoroughly clearing up a truth or cause.
  • Related検討けんとうNeutralWeighing whether a plan or proposal is workable, as in 「検討中」. 「究明」 is about getting at the truth.
  • Related審査しんさNeutralScreening or judging qualifications or the merits of works, as in 「書類審査」. 「究明」 aims at uncovering the truth.
  • Related探索たんさくNeutralSearching out the unknown, as in 「宇宙探索」. 「究明」 focuses on clarifying the truth.
  • Related取り調べとりしらべNeutralQuestioning of suspects or witnesses by investigative authorities; also investigation in general. 「究明」 focuses on uncovering the truth.
  • Related調べしらべNeutralNoun for looking into or checking something, as in 「調べがつく」. 「究明」 is about getting at the truth or cause.
  • Related検察けんさつNeutralThe prosecution's investigation and indictment work, as in 「検察庁」. 「究明」 is a general term for pursuing the truth.
  • Related査察ささつWrittenWritten/formal: on-site inspection by authorities to check for violations, as in 「核査察」. 「究明」 is about clarifying the truth or cause.
  • Related追求ついきゅうNeutralHomophone of 「追究」 and 「追及」; chasing ideals or profit, as in 「利益を追求する」. It is pursuit of a goal; 「究明」 is finding out the truth.
  • Related吟味ぎんみNeutralScrutinizing carefully and weighing merits and flaws, as in 「吟味する」. 「究明」 focuses on getting at the truth.
  • Related探りさぐりNeutralNoun for probing or sounding out another party's intentions. 「究明」 is about establishing the truth or cause.
  • Related検分けんぶんWrittenWritten/formal: going on site to inspect and verify, as in 「実地検分」. 「究明」 centers on uncovering the truth.
  • Related追及ついきゅうNeutralHomophone of 「追究」 and 「追求」; hounding someone over responsibility or cause, as in 「責任を追及する」, with a pressing nuance. 「究明」 just seeks to establish facts and cause.
  • Related攻究こうきゅうWrittenWritten/formal word for investigating and studying deeply; in daily use say 「研究」. 「究明」 stresses thoroughly establishing the truth or cause.

Use 「究明」 when the point is to dig deep until a truth, cause or mechanism is clear, as in 「原因究明」 and 「真相究明」. For investigation in general pick 「調査」; for academic work 「研究」; for pressing responsibility 「追及」; for pursuing something to the very end 「追究」. The rest are narrower: 「取り調べ」 and 「捜査」 for police and prosecution probes, 「検討」 for weighing options, 「審査」 for judging entries, 「探索」 for searching the unknown, 「追求」 for chasing goals.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 物事ものごとを徹底的てっていてきに追究ついきゅうして、明あきらかにすること。「真相しんそう究明きゅうめい」「原因げんいん究明きゅうめい」
Kanji in this word
See also

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