Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
探検 (たんけん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 10,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
exploration ; expedition
Refers to traveling to unknown or unfamiliar places to investigate or discover, often with a sense of adventure. Can be used for scientific, geographical, or personal exploration.
頃ころ
、
近きん
所じょ
の
森もり
を
探たん
検けん
する
の
が
好す
き
だっ
た
。
When I was a child, I loved exploring the woods near my house.
Written forms 探たん 検けん Usage 85%
Standard kanji spelling; the most common form in modern Japanese.
探たん 険けん Usage 11%
Alternate kanji form using 険 (steep/dangerous), emphasizing the risky aspect of exploration. Less common than 探検.
たんけん Usage 4%
Kanji 検 examination, investigate 険 precipitous, inaccessible place, impregnable position Similar words 冒ぼう 険けん 冒険 (adventure) emphasizes risk and excitement, while 探検 (exploration) focuses on investigation and discovery. 探検 is more about systematic searching, whereas 冒険 can be reckless or thrilling.
調ちょう 査さ 調査 (investigation/survey) is more formal and systematic, often used in academic or official contexts. 探検 implies physical travel to unknown areas, while 調査 can be done from a desk.
Etymology Compound of 探 (search, look for) and 検 (examine, inspect). The spelling 探険 uses 険 (steep, dangerous) to highlight the perilous nature of exploration. The word is a Sino-Japanese coinage that became common in the modern era.
