Translation guide
To discover information, learn a fact, or become aware of something, often through investigation or by chance.
To learn or become aware of a specific piece of information, often after searching or asking.
The most common and natural way to express 'find out' in the sense of coming to know something. It implies understanding or becoming clear.
I finally found out why he quit.
To get to know a fact. Often used in the past tense 知った to mean 'found out'. Note that 知っている means 'I know', not 'I am finding out'.
A pattern meaning 'it turns out that...' or 'I find out that...'. Used when the discovery is the subject.
Used with a clause to mean 'find out that...'. Often with verbs like 調べる, 聞く.
To find out information through active effort, such as looking up, checking, or examining.
To find out something through rumors, news, or by chance without direct investigation.
To find out something by noticing or realizing it, often suddenly.
To notice, realize, become aware. Often used when you find out something by observation.
分かる focuses on understanding or the process of becoming clear, while 知る focuses on acquiring knowledge. 知った is often used for 'I found out (a fact)', while 分かった can mean 'I understand' or 'I found out (the answer)'. In many cases they overlap, but 分かる is more about comprehension.
How did you find out?
I looked it up and found out the train time.
I found out for the first time when I heard the news.
I found out yesterday that he was married.
When I looked into it, I found out that he was right.
I asked him and found out that the meeting was postponed.
To look up, investigate, or check. Often used when you actively search for information.
I looked up the meaning of the word in a dictionary. (I found out the meaning.)
I tried to find out about his background on the internet.
To track down, ascertain, or determine something after thorough investigation. Stronger than 調べる.
The police found out the cause of the accident.
To probe, explore, or spy out. Used for finding out secrets or hidden information.
I tried to find out his true feelings.
To hear about, to come to one's ears. Often used for news or rumors.
I heard a rumor that he moved. (I found out he moved.)
To hear. In past tense 聞いた, it can mean 'I heard (and thus found out)'. Context makes it clear.
I heard she's getting married. (I found out she's getting married.)
I found out that he was lying.
I found out my wallet was missing.
To perceive, discern, or become aware of a hidden truth. More literary or profound.
He found out his fate.
I found out the fact. (I learned it.)
There is no single Japanese verb that directly corresponds to 'find out' in all contexts. Avoid literal translations like 見つけ出す (which means 'to find/locate a physical object or person'). Use the appropriate verb based on how you obtained the information.
I need to find out more about this.