研究
kenkyū[kẽ̞ŋʲkʲɨː]
The English phrase "research" is translated into Japanese as 研究 (kenkyū).
研究 refers to inquiry or examination, specifically in the context of academic or scientific research intended to discover new knowledge.
Meaning: inquiry or examination (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 研究 is composed of the kanji 研 (to polish/sharpen) and 究 (to investigate/study), which literally means to polish one's investigation.
Which one should you use?
While 研究 (kenkyū) is used for academic or scientific research to discover new knowledge, the term 調査 (chōsa) is used for a practical investigation, survey or inspection of existing facts.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kenkyū
Did you know?
- In Japanese academic culture, when you mention your 研究, it is often treated as a personal pursuit or a 'life's work' rather than just a job task.
- The first character of 研究, 研, originally had the pronunciation 'gen' in Japanese, but it shifted to the modern 'ken' reading for reasons that remain a mystery to linguists.
- While an English speaker might say they are 'doing research' on a person, using 研究 for a human subject in Japanese would sound highly unnatural and clinical.
Examples in context
- 彼は新しい研究に我を忘れた。He lost himself in his new research.This sentence is useful for describing someone being lost in their work using 研究.Tatoeba #103815 by tommy__san, translation #299878 by CK
- 彼は医学の研究に携わっている。He is engaged in medical research.This sentence is useful for showing someone is engaged in a specific field of research using 研究.Tatoeba #110088 by KK_kaku_, translation #293600 by CK
- 兄はガンの研究に従事している。My brother is engaged in cancer research.This sentence is useful for describing engagement in a specific type of research using 研究.Tatoeba #176610 by tommy__san, translation #237853 by CK
- 私は医学研究に従事しています。I am engaged in medical research.
- この報告書は市場調査の結果に基づいています。This report is based on the results of market research.
- 彼はインターネットでリサーチをしています。He is doing research on the internet.
- 最新の情報を調べてみました。I tried researching the latest information.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking in a university library.
- 蓮 Ren今、何を研究していますか？Ima, nani o kenkyū shite imasu ka?What are you researching right now?
- 結衣 Yui日本の歴史の研究をしています。Nihon no rekishi no kenkyū o shite imasu.I am doing research on Japanese history.
- 蓮 Renそれは面白そうな研究ですね。Sore wa omoshirosō na kenkyū desu ne.That sounds like interesting research.
- 結衣 Yuiはい、とても楽しいです。Hai, totemo tanoshii desu.Yes, it is very fun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “research” translations and entries 研究, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 研究, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
