Translation guide
The English phrase "look for" means to search for or try to find something or someone. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 探す (sagasu), but the appropriate expression depends on what you are looking for and the context.
To try to find a lost item, a person, or something concrete.
The most common and general verb for 'look for' or 'search for' something or someone. Used for concrete things.
I'm looking for my keys.
I'm looking for her.
Often used specifically for searching for a missing person or criminal, or for a lost item. The kanji 捜 implies a more thorough or official search. In many contexts, 探す is interchangeable.
The police are looking for the missing person.
To try to find information, a job, an answer, etc.
Also used for abstract things like jobs, information, or answers.
I'm looking for a job.
I'm looking for the answer.
Means 'to look up' or 'to investigate'. Use this when you are looking for information in a reference source or doing research.
To seek a product you want to buy.
The standard way to say you are looking for an item in a store.
I'm looking for shoes in this size.
A more direct way to ask if a store has something. Literally 'Do you have ~?', but often used instead of 'I'm looking for ~'.
Do you have this book? (I'm looking for this book.)
To anticipate something with pleasure. Note: This is a different meaning of 'look for' when combined with 'forward to'.
The standard phrase for 'look forward to'. Note that 'look for' alone does not carry this meaning; it's the combination 'look forward to'.
Do not use 探す for 'look forward to'. This is a completely different meaning.
I'm looking forward to the weekend.
In English, 'look' combines with prepositions to form phrasal verbs with distinct meanings. 'Look for' means to search, 'look at' means to observe, and 'look after' means to take care of. In Japanese, these are entirely different verbs: 探す (sagasu) for 'look for', 見る (miru) for 'look at', and 世話をする (sewa o suru) for 'look after'.
探す (sagasu) means 'to look for' (the process of searching). 見つける (mitsukeru) means 'to find' (the result). Do not confuse them. If you want to say 'I found it', use 見つけた (mitsuketa), not 探した (sagashita).
I finally found the book I had been looking for.
I'm looking for a restroom.
その言葉の意味を辞書で調べた。
I looked up the meaning of that word in the dictionary.