Translation guide
The English verb "investigate" covers a range of actions from formal inquiries to casual looking into something. Japanese uses different words depending on the nature of the investigation, its formality, and whether it's about finding facts, examining causes, or checking something out.
To carry out a systematic, often official, examination or inquiry into an incident, crime, or problem to uncover facts.
The most general and common term for a formal investigation, survey, or inquiry. Used by police, companies, governments, etc.
警察は事件を調査している。
The police are investigating the case.
事故の原因を調査する委員会が設置された。
A committee was set up to investigate the cause of the accident.
Specifically a criminal investigation, searching for evidence or suspects. Used mainly for police work.
警察が殺人事件を捜査している。
The police are investigating the murder case.
To interrogate or investigate someone closely, often in a legal or disciplinary context. Implies questioning a person.
容疑者を取り調べる。
To interrogate a suspect.
To examine or look into something more casually, often to find out information or verify something.
The most common everyday word for 'look up', 'check', or 'investigate'. Used for finding information, examining facts, etc.
その単語の意味を辞書で調べた。
I looked up the meaning of that word in the dictionary.
彼の経歴をインターネットで調べてみた。
I tried investigating his background on the internet.
To probe, explore, or sound out. Often implies investigating discreetly or trying to find out hidden information.
To investigate thoroughly in order to clarify the truth, often used for causes or scientific inquiry. More formal and academic.
事故原因を究明する。
To investigate the cause of the accident thoroughly.
To study a subject in detail in order to discover new facts or test hypotheses.
The standard word for academic or scientific research. Implies a systematic study over time.
彼はがんの新しい治療法を研究している。
He is researching a new treatment for cancer.
Also used in academic contexts for surveys, field studies, or data collection.
その現象を詳しく調査した。
We investigated the phenomenon in detail.
調べる is the everyday verb for looking something up or checking. 調査する is more formal and systematic, often used for official inquiries, surveys, or research. Use 調べる for casual fact-finding and 調査する for structured investigations.
English 'investigate' can often be replaced by more specific verbs in Japanese. For example, 'investigate a noise' might be 音の原因を調べる (check the cause of the noise) rather than a direct translation.
その件についてさらに調査する必要がある。
We need to investigate the matter further.
I tried to probe his true feelings.
記者が政治家の汚職を探っている。
The journalist is investigating the politician's corruption.