腹を探る · godan verb (-ru)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 腹を探る | 腹を探らない |
| Polite | 腹を探ります | 腹を探りません |
| Past polite | 腹を探りました | 腹を探りませんでした |
| Past | 腹を探った | 腹を探らなかった |
| Te-form | 腹を探って | 腹を探らないで |
| Desire | 腹を探りたい | 腹を探りたくない |
| Potential | 腹を探れる | 腹を探れない |
| Passive | 腹を探られる | 腹を探られない |
| Causative | 腹を探らせる | 腹を探らせない |
| Causative passive | 腹を探らせられるalso 腹を探らされる | 腹を探らせられないalso 腹を探らされない |
| Volitional | 腹を探ろう | |
| Polite volitional | 腹を探りましょう | |
| Imperative | 腹を探れ | 腹を探るな |
| Conditional | 腹を探れば | 腹を探らなければ |
| Tara conditional | 腹を探ったら | 腹を探らなかったら |
probe someone's real intentions; sound someone out; fathom someone's thoughts
Used when trying to discover what someone is really thinking or planning, often through indirect questions or observation. The expression is somewhat figurative, with 腹 (belly) representing one's inner thoughts or true feelings.
He asked a question that seemed to probe his boss's real intentions.
I deliberately gave a vague reply to try to sound out the other person.