Translation guide
The English verb 'examine' covers a range of actions from careful inspection to formal testing. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese equivalents by the specific meaning you want to express.
To look at something carefully in order to check its condition, find details, or assess it.
The most common and versatile word for examining, checking, or investigating something. Used for objects, documents, facts, etc.
書類を調べてください。
Please examine the documents.
故障の原因を調べている。
I'm examining the cause of the malfunction.
Used for formal or systematic inspection, such as medical examinations, quality checks, or safety inspections.
医者が患者を検査した。
The doctor examined the patient.
製品の品質を検査する。
We examine the quality of the products.
Specifically for checking or inspecting equipment, machinery, or facilities to ensure they are in working order.
車を点検してもらった。
I had my car examined (inspected).
エアコンの点検をお願いします。
Please examine (inspect) the air conditioner.
To observe or examine closely, often over a period of time, for scientific or detailed study.
顕微鏡で細胞を観察した。
I examined the cells under a microscope.
To formally test someone's knowledge or skills, often in an academic or professional setting.
The standard verb for giving an examination or test to someone.
学生を英語で試験する。
We examine the students in English.
彼は口頭で試験された。
He was examined orally.
A more casual, loanword alternative for testing someone.
明日、生徒をテストする予定だ。
I plan to examine (test) the students tomorrow.
To question someone formally or in detail, often in a legal or official context.
Used for formal interrogation, such as by police or in court.
警察が容疑者を尋問した。
The police examined (interrogated) the suspect.
To question someone closely or demand an explanation, often with a confrontational nuance.
上司は彼の遅刻の理由を問いただした。
The boss examined (closely questioned) him about the reason for his lateness.
To think about something carefully, analyze it, or study it in depth.
To examine or consider a matter carefully, often used in business or formal contexts when discussing options or proposals.
その案を検討しています。
We are examining (considering) that proposal.
問題を詳しく検討する必要がある。
We need to examine the problem in detail.
To analyze or examine data, information, or a situation systematically.
データを分析して傾向を調べた。
We examined (analyzed) the data to find trends.
To examine or consider something deeply, often in an academic or intellectual context.
この問題を哲学的視点から考察する。
We examine this issue from a philosophical perspective.
調べる is the general 'check/examine' and can be used in most situations. 検査する implies a formal, often medical or quality-control inspection. 点検する is specifically for checking the condition or safety of equipment or facilities.
辞書で単語を調べる。
I look up (examine) a word in the dictionary.
健康診断で血液を検査する。
They examine your blood in a health checkup.
消防設備を点検する。
Inspect (examine) the fire safety equipment.
In casual English, 'examine' can simply mean 'look at'. In Japanese, using 調べる or 検査する for just looking at something can sound too formal or intense. For casual looking, use 見る (みる).
この写真を見て。
Take a look at this photo. (Not 'examine')
Specifically for police or official investigation and interrogation.
警察は彼を取り調べている。
The police are examining (interrogating) him.