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.
Please examine the documents.
Used for formal or systematic inspection, such as medical examinations, quality checks, or safety inspections.
The doctor examined the patient.
Specifically for checking or inspecting equipment, machinery, or facilities to ensure they are in working order.
I had my car examined (inspected).
To observe or examine closely, often over a period of time, for scientific or detailed study.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I look up (examine) a word in the dictionary.
I'm examining the cause of the malfunction.
製品の品質を検査する。
We examine the quality of the products.
エアコンの点検をお願いします。
Please examine (inspect) the air conditioner.
We examine the students in English.
He was examined orally.
A more casual, loanword alternative for testing someone.
I plan to examine (test) the students tomorrow.
The police examined (interrogated) the suspect.
To question someone closely or demand an explanation, often with a confrontational nuance.
The boss examined (closely questioned) him about the reason for his lateness.
Specifically for police or official investigation and interrogation.
The police are examining (interrogating) him.
We are examining (considering) that proposal.
We need to examine the problem in detail.
To analyze or examine data, information, or a situation systematically.
We examined (analyzed) the data to find trends.
To examine or consider something deeply, often in an academic or intellectual context.
We examine this issue from a philosophical perspective.
健康診断で血液を検査する。
They examine your blood in a health checkup.
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).
Take a look at this photo. (Not 'examine')