Translation guide
The English word 'research' covers systematic investigation, academic studies, and gathering information. Japanese distinguishes between formal academic research, market research, and simply looking something up. This guide helps you choose the right expression.
Systematic investigation to discover or establish facts, principles, or theories, typically in a university or laboratory setting.
The most common and general term for academic or scientific research. Can be used as a noun or combined with する to form a verb.
He is doing physics research at the university.
Loanword from English, often used in business or market contexts, but also in academic settings. Sounds slightly more modern or technical.
Investigation or survey, often used for fact-finding, field studies, or statistical research. Can overlap with 研究 but emphasizes data collection.
Searching for information, often online or in books, without formal methodology.
Systematic gathering of data about consumers, markets, or public opinion.
Referring to a specific research project, study, or academic paper.
研究 implies systematic, often academic investigation. If you just want to say 'I'll research that online,' use 調べる or リサーチする, not 研究する.
I'll look up a good restaurant.
研究 focuses on discovering new knowledge or theories, while 調査 emphasizes gathering and analyzing existing data. In many contexts they overlap, but 調査 is preferred for surveys and field studies.
This research will lead to the development of new treatments.
マーケットリサーチを行った。
We conducted market research.
We analyzed the results of the questionnaire survey.
The most natural verb for 'to look up' or 'to research' in everyday situations. Use this when you search the internet, check a dictionary, or find out facts.
Try looking it up on the internet.
I looked up the meaning of that word in a dictionary.
Casual use of the loanword, often for online research or gathering information before a purchase.
I researched hotels before the trip.
Standard term for market research.
We conducted market research for the new product.
Marketing research, often used in business contexts.
I work for a marketing research company.
Can be used with counters like 一つの研究 (one research project) or 多くの研究 (many studies).
That research was published last year.
Specifically a research paper or thesis. Use when referring to a written document.
He wrote an excellent research paper.
市場調査
market research (survey-based)
basic research (theoretical)