Translation guide
The English word 'probe' can refer to a physical tool for exploring or examining, an investigation or inquiry, or the act of exploring or questioning. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
A slender instrument used to explore a wound, cavity, or other inaccessible place.
A general term for a probe used to explore or examine something physically, such as in medical or technical contexts.
医者は探り針を使って傷の深さを調べた。
The doctor used a probe to examine the depth of the wound.
Borrowed from German 'Sonde', commonly used in medical contexts for a probe or catheter.
胃カメラのゾンデを挿入する。
Insert the gastroscope probe.
Specifically refers to an ultrasound probe or transducer.
超音波検査では探触子を体に当てます。
In an ultrasound examination, a probe is placed against the body.
A thorough investigation into something, often to uncover hidden information.
The most common and versatile word for an investigation, inquiry, or probe. Can be used in formal and informal contexts.
警察は事件の調査を始めた。
The police launched a probe into the incident.
政府は汚職の調査を行っている。
The government is conducting a probe into corruption.
Specifically a criminal investigation or probe by law enforcement.
A discreet inquiry or probe, often to gauge someone's intentions or feelings. Can be used as a noun or part of a verb phrase.
彼の本心を探りを入れた。
I made a probe into his true feelings.
The action of exploring, examining, or questioning in a systematic way.
Often used for exploration or probing, especially in scientific or space contexts.
火星の探査が進んでいる。
The probe of Mars is progressing.
Verb meaning to probe, explore, or feel out. Very common in everyday language.
Inquisitive probing or prying, often with a negative connotation of being nosy.
調査 (chousa) is a general investigation, 捜査 (sousa) is a criminal investigation, and 探り (saguri) is a discreet probe or feeler. Use 調査 for most non-criminal probes, 捜査 for police work, and 探り when you're trying to gauge someone's reaction or hidden information.
市場調査を行う。
Conduct a market probe.
警察が捜査を開始した。
The police started a probe.
彼の意向を探りを入れる。
Make a probe into his intentions.
While 探る (saguru) is a good general verb for 'probe', be careful not to overuse it. In many cases, more specific verbs like 調べる (shiraberu, to investigate) or 尋ねる (tazuneru, to ask) are more natural. Also, avoid using プローブ (puroobu) as a verb; it's only a noun for technical probes.
While 探る (saguru) is a good general verb for 'probe', be careful not to overuse it. In many cases, more specific verbs like 調べる (shiraberu, to investigate) or 尋ねる (tazuneru, to ask) are more natural. Also, avoid using プローブ (puroobu) as a verb; it's only a noun for technical probes.
The murder probe is facing difficulties.
He probed his pocket for the keys.
記者は政治家に質問して真意を探った。
The reporter probed the politician with questions to find out his true intentions.
彼は私の過去を詮索した。
He probed into my past.