Translation guide
To search through something by moving things around, often in a messy or thorough way. Can be literal (digging through a pile) or figurative (digging through data).
To look for something by moving items around, often creating disorder.
Literally 'stir up and search'. Used when you rummage through something, moving things around to find an item.
I dug through my bag looking for my keys.
To rummage, fish around, or scavenge. Often used for searching through things like drawers, pockets, or even trash.
I dug through the drawer looking for the document.
To search around, go through various places. Implies moving from one spot to another while searching.
I dug through the whole house and finally found it.
Literally 'dig up and turn over'. Used for physically digging through soil, rubble, or piles. Can be metaphorical for digging up old issues.
I dug through the garden looking for the buried treasure.
To examine a large amount of information thoroughly to find something.
To investigate thoroughly, exhaustively search through information.
He dug through past records and found evidence.
To search thoroughly. A straightforward way to express digging through information.
I dug through the data and found the error.
To examine every nook and cranny, leave no stone unturned. Emphasizes completeness.
The police dug through his background thoroughly.
To physically or metaphorically wade through something difficult, dirty, or tedious.
To push through, force one's way through a mass of things. Used for physically digging through clutter, snow, etc.
We dug through the rubble to move forward.
To proceed with difficulty. Can be used figuratively for digging through a difficult task.
I dug through a mountain of paperwork.
Do not translate 'dig through' literally as 掘る (horu) unless you are actually digging in the ground. For searching through items, use 漁る (asaru) or かき回して探す (kakimawashite sagasu).