Translation guide
The English verb 'scan' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: quickly looking over text or an area, examining something closely, using a machine to read or image something, and poetic meter. Each meaning requires different Japanese expressions.
To glance through text or look around an area quickly to get a general idea or find something specific.
A common, neutral way to say 'look over quickly' or 'skim'. Used for both text and visual scanning.
I scanned the newspaper.
Specifically for skimming or scanning text without reading every word.
I scanned through the report.
To scan a wide area visually, like a room or landscape.
I scanned the room.
Loanword from English, used informally for quick looking, but more commonly for machine scanning.
I scanned the menu.
To look at something carefully and systematically, often to find details or flaws.
Formal term for scrutinizing or examining in detail. Common in business and technical contexts.
We scanned the data thoroughly.
To examine carefully and patiently. More conversational than 精査する.
I scanned the documents carefully.
Can be used for close examination in some technical contexts, but often implies machine scanning.
The system scans for errors.
To use a scanner or similar device to convert a physical document, barcode, or image into digital form.
The standard loanword for using a scanner. Widely understood.
Please scan this document.
Scan the QR code.
Means 'to read' or 'to capture' data, often used for barcodes, cards, or sensors. More native-sounding than スキャンする in some contexts.
Technical term for converting to an image. Used in specific IT contexts.
Scan the document into an image.
To analyze the rhythmic structure of a line of verse.
The standard phrase for scanning poetry. Used in academic or literary contexts.
Scan the meter of the poem.
Rare loanword from 'scansion', used only in specialized poetry studies.
Scan this line.
The English verb 'scan' covers both quick looking and careful examination, which are opposite actions. In Japanese, you must choose the appropriate verb based on the intended meaning. Using スキャンする for everything can sound unnatural or confusing.
ざっと見る means to look over quickly or superficially, while 精査する means to examine in detail. They are not interchangeable. Context determines which one matches the English 'scan'.
She scanned the horizon.
I scanned the article for keywords.
Please scan your ID card.
Scan the barcode.