Translation guide
How to express the idea of looking for something or someone in Japanese, including common verbs and natural phrasing.
The speaker is trying to find a concrete thing or person.
The most common and general verb for 'search for' or 'look for'. Used for objects, people, and information.
鍵を探しています。
I'm looking for my keys.
新しいアパートを探している。
I'm searching for a new apartment.
Often used specifically for searching for a missing person or lost item, implying a more thorough or official search. In practice, 探す is more common in daily use.
警察が行方不明者を捜している。
The police are searching for the missing person.
To search around, look all over for something. Emphasizes the action of moving around while searching.
あちこち探し回ったけど、見つからなかった。
I searched all over but couldn't find it.
The speaker is looking up information, data, or references.
To look up, investigate, or examine. Used for searching for information in a dictionary, on the internet, or through research.
インターネットで調べてみて。
Try searching for it on the internet.
辞書で単語の意味を調べた。
I looked up the meaning of the word in the dictionary.
To search (a database, the web). More technical and specific to digital searches.
キーワードで検索してください。
Please search by keyword.
Can also be used for searching for information, but 調べる is more natural when the focus is on the act of looking up.
The speaker is seeking something intangible.
To seek, pursue, or desire. Used for abstract goals like happiness, truth, or love.
彼は真実を求めている。
He is searching for the truth.
To quest for, pursue (knowledge, truth). More formal and intellectual.
彼は生涯をかけて真理を探求した。
He spent his life searching for truth.
Can be used for abstract things in casual speech, but 求める is more natural for deep desires.
To examine someone's body or belongings, or to comb through an area.
To inspect, examine. Used for searching a person's bag, a room, etc.
税関で荷物を調べられた。
My luggage was searched at customs.
To conduct a body search (pat-down). Often used in security contexts.
空港で身体検査を受けた。
I underwent a body search at the airport.
To frisk, to search someone's body by patting down. Also means to probe or investigate.
Use 探す (sagasu) when you are trying to locate something or someone. Use 調べる (shiraberu) when you are looking up information or examining something. For example, you 探す your lost wallet, but you 調べる a word in the dictionary.
The English loanword サーチする is understood but sounds unnatural in most contexts. Stick to 探す or 調べる.
仕事を探しています。
I'm searching for a job.
パソコンでそのファイルを検索してください。
Search for the file on your computer.
I searched for the answer online.
I'm searching for happiness.
The police officer frisked the suspect.