Translation guide
To find out or determine something with certainty, often through investigation or evidence.
To discover or verify information, often by checking or asking.
The most common and versatile verb for 'ascertain' in everyday Japanese. It means to check or confirm something, often by direct action.
We need to ascertain the facts.
Please ascertain whether he is safe.
Formal and widely used in business or official contexts. Implies verifying or confirming information, often through documentation or systematic checking.
I will let you know after I ascertain the schedule.
Documents are required to ascertain identity.
Used when ascertaining something through investigation or effort, like tracking down the truth or a cause. Often implies a process of inquiry.
It took time to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Means to make something clear or bring to light. Used when ascertaining involves revealing or clarifying something previously unknown.
An investigation was conducted to ascertain the truth.
To ascertain by careful observation or judgment, often used when determining the true nature or value of something.
It's difficult to ascertain his abilities.
To reach a conclusion or establish something based on evidence or logic.
To judge or determine something based on available information. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.
Judging from the situation, we can ascertain he is innocent.
We need to ascertain the risks.
To identify or specify something precisely. Often used in technical or investigative contexts.
To investigate thoroughly and ascertain the truth, often used in academic or formal investigations.
To take action to be certain about something, often for safety or correctness.
確かめる is more hands-on and personal, while 確認する is more formal and often used for official verification. In business, 確認する is preferred.
I checked his phone number (by looking it up or asking).
I have verified the contract details.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'ascertain'. Choose the verb based on the nuance: checking (確かめる), verifying (確認する), investigating (突き止める), or judging (判断する).
彼の居場所を突き止めようとしている。
We are trying to ascertain his whereabouts.
It was difficult to ascertain the cause of the problem.
A committee was set up to ascertain the cause.
You should ascertain properly before buying.