検索
kensaku[kẽ̞ɰ̃sa̠kɯ̟]
The Japanese word for 'search' (followed by 'for') is 検索 (kensaku).
検索 is used when you are looking thoroughly for information or data, typically in a digital context. For example, the term 検索エンジン is the standard way to refer to a digital search engine like Google or Bing.
Meaning: (followed by "for") to look thoroughly (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of two parts: the kanji 検, which means to examine or check and the kanji 索, which means to seek or look for.
Which one should you use?
While 検索 is used for searching for data or information online, 捜索 is used specifically for searching for missing people or lost objects in a physical space.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kensaku
Did you know?
- In Japanese social media, users often use the word ググる ('guguru') instead of 検索 to describe the act of searching, turning the brand name 'Google' into a functional verb.
- The kanji 索 in 検索 originally referred to a 'rope' or 'cord', evolving to mean 'seeking' through the metaphor of following a thread to find a destination.
- The kanji 索 in 検索 is the same character used in the word 索敵 (soteki), which means 'searching for the enemy' in a military context.
Examples in context
- この検索エンジン、ダメダメね。This search engine is terrible.This sentence uses 検索 to describe a terrible search engine.Tatoeba #11839586 by small_snow, translation #10107606 by ddnktr
- 検索エンジンって、どれ使ってる？Which search engine do you use?This sentence uses 検索 to ask which search engine someone uses.Tatoeba #11056009 by small_snow, translation #3670669 by AlanF_US
- この検索エンジン、本当にとろい。This search engine is really slow.This sentence uses 検索 to describe a slow search engine.Tatoeba #12593259 by small_snow, translation #10107605 by ddnktr
- インターネットで情報を検索するTo search for information on the internet.
- データベースを検索するTo search a database.
- 図書館で本を探しているI am searching for a book in the library.
- 情報を探すために調査を行うTo conduct research in order to search for information.
- ネットでググって調べてみたよI tried searching and investigating it on the internet.
- 新しいレシピを調べるTo search for new recipes.
- 友達を探すTo search for a friend.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are looking for a specific recipe online.
- 陽太 Yotaこのレシピ、どうやって検索すればいいかな？Kono reshipi, dou yatte kensaku sureba ii kana?How should I search for this recipe?
- 結衣 Yuiキーワードを入れて検索してみて。Kiiwaado o irete kensaku shite mite.Try searching by entering some keywords.
- 陽太 Yotaなるほど、検索してみるよ。Naruhodo, kensaku shite miru yo.I see, I'll try searching for it.
- 結衣 Yui陽太くん、いい感じのサイトが見つかった？Youta-kun, ii kanji no saito ga mitsukatta?Yota, did you find a good website?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 検索, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
