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.
鍵を探しています。
I'm looking for my keys.
彼女を探しているんですが。
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.
警察が行方不明者を捜している。
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.
仕事を探しています。
I'm looking for a job.
答えを探している。
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.
このサイズの靴を探しているんですが。
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 ~'.
この本はありますか。
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.
週末を楽しみにしています。
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).
ずっと探していた本をやっと見つけた。
I finally found the book I had been looking for.
トイレを探しています。
I'm looking for a restroom.
I looked up the meaning of that word in the dictionary.