Translation and Meaning of: 探す - sagasu

The Japanese word 探す (さがす, sagasu) is an essential verb for anyone learning the language. It means "to look for" or "to search" and appears frequently in everyday life, in dialogues, animes, and even in song lyrics. In this article, we will explore its meaning, practical usage, and some curiosities that will help you memorize it easily.

If you have ever watched an anime or Japanese drama, you have probably heard someone say "何かを探しています" (I am looking for something). This verb is so common that it is worth understanding it in depth. Additionally, let's see how it differs from other similar and in which contexts it is more appropriate to use it.

Meaning and usage of 探す

探す is a verb that expresses the action of searching for something that is lost, hidden, or not yet found. It can be used for both concrete objects and abstract things, like opportunities or solutions. For example, if you lost your keys, you would say "鍵を探しています" (I am looking for my keys).

An interesting characteristic is that 探す implies an active search, unlike 見つける (to find), which indicates the result of the search. This distinction is important because many students confuse the two . Furthermore, 探す is often used in everyday situations, such as looking for a place, a job, or even love.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 探 is composed of the radical 手 (hand) and the component 罙, which suggests the idea of "diving" or "investigating deeply." This combination reinforces the sense of searching for something with effort, as if we are rummaging through something with our hands to find what we are looking for. This mental image can aid in memorization.

It is worth noting that 探す is the kun'yomi (Japanese reading) of the kanji, while the on'yomi (Chinese reading) is "TAN", as in 探検 (たんけん, exploration). Knowing this can be useful for understanding other words that share the same kanji, naturally expanding your vocabulary.

Trivia and memorization tips

An effective way to 探す is to associate it with real-life situations. For example, imagine you are looking for a friend in a crowd – this intense action of searching perfectly matches the meaning of the word. Another tip is to create flashcards with phrases like "スマホを探す" (search for the cellphone), something that everyone has done at least once.

In Japan, this verb is so prevalent that it appears even in popular proverbs and song titles. An interesting fact is that, in some regional dialects, like that of Osaka, the pronunciation may vary slightly, but the meaning remains the same. This shows how the word is deeply rooted in the daily communication of the Japanese people.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 探す

  • 探す: Present affirmative
  • 探した: Affirmative past tense
  • 探している: Present progressive affirmative
  • 探していた: Affirmative progressive past tense
  • 探せ: Affirmative imperative

Synonyms and similar words

  • 捜す (sagasu) - Search, look for (usually refers to the search for something lost)
  • 探り出す (saguridasu) - Discover, identify (refers to finding or uncovering something hidden)
  • 捜し出す (sashidasu) - Find, locate (the act of searching and finally discovering what one is looking for)
  • 捜索する (sousaku suru) - Conduct a search (usually in a more formal or systematic context)
  • 捜し求める (sashi motomeru) - Search and wish to find (indicates a strong desire to locate something specific)

Related words

燃やす

moyasu

burn

掘る

horu

to dig; dig

手元

temoto

available; the hand; at home

宿泊

shukuhaku

accommodation

捜す

sagasu

to search for; search; try to find

掻く

kaku

itch; sweat

探す

Romaji: sagasu
Kana: さがす
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n4, jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: to search for; search; try to find

Meaning in English: to search;to seek;to look for

Definition: to find something or anything.

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (探す) sagasu

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (探す) sagasu:

Example Sentences - (探す) sagasu

See below some example sentences:

私は彼女を探す。

Watashi wa kanojo wo sagasu

I'm looking for a girlfriend.

I look for her.

  • 私 - personal pronoun "I"
  • は - topic particle, indicates that the topic of the sentence is "I"
  • 彼女 - noun "girlfriend"
  • を - direct object particle, indicates that "girlfriend" is the object of the action
  • 探す - verb "search"
役に立つ情報を探しています。

Yaku ni tatsu jōhō o sagashite imasu

I am looking for useful information.

I am looking for useful information.

  • 役に立つ - useful
  • 情報 - information
  • を - direct object particle
  • 探しています - searching
代用品を探しています。

Daiyōhin o sagashiteimasu

I'm looking for a substitute.

I'm looking for a substitute.

  • 代用品 - Substitute
  • を - object particle
  • 探しています - I'm looking for
この範囲内で探してください。

Kono han'i nai de sagashite kudasai

Please look within this track.

Please research this interval.

  • この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this", "this" or "these".
  • 範囲 - noun meaning "reach", "ambit" or "scope".
  • 内 - suffix indicating "within", "inside" or "in".
  • で - particle indicating the place where an action takes place, in this case, "in".
  • 探して - verb "to seek" in the gerund.
  • ください - verb "dar" in the imperative, used to make a polite request.
この仕事に適する人材を探しています。

Kono shigoto ni tekisuru jinzai wo sagashiteimasu

We are looking for a suitable candidate for this work.

I am looking for a person who is suitable for this work.

  • この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
  • 仕事 - noun meaning "work" or "occupation"
  • に - particle that indicates destination or goal
  • 適する - Verb that means "to be suitable" or "to be appropriate"
  • 人材 - noun that means "talent" or "human resources"
  • を - particle that indicates direct object
  • 探しています - verb that means "to search for" or "to look for" in the present continuous
価格と品質が釣り合う商品を探しています。

Kakaku to hinshitsu ga tsuriau shouhin wo sagashiteimasu

I'm looking for a product where price and quality are in balance.

I'm looking for a product where price and quality are balanced.

  • 価格 - (price)
  • と - (e)
  • 品質 - (quality)
  • が - (subject particle)
  • 釣り合う - (balance)
  • 商品 - (product)
  • を - (direct object particle)
  • 探しています - (searching)
半径が長い円形のテーブルを探しています。

Hansei ga nagai enkei no teburu wo sagashiteimasu

I'm looking for a circular table with a long radius.

I'm looking for a circular table with a long radius.

  • 半径 (hankei) - ray
  • が (ga) - subject particle
  • 長い (nagai) - far away
  • 円形 (enkei) - circular
  • の (no) - Possession particle
  • テーブル (teeburu) - table
  • を (wo) - direct object particle
  • 探しています (sagashiteimasu) - searching
手頃な価格の商品を探しています。

tegoro na kakaku no shouhin wo sagashiteimasu

I am looking for affordable products.

I'm looking for affordable products.

  • 手頃な - affordable, reasonable
  • 価格 - price
  • の - particle indicating possession or connection
  • 商品 - product, merchandise
  • を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
  • 探しています - searching
私たちは新しい住まいを探しています。

Watashitachi wa atarashii sumai o sagashiteimasu

We are looking for a new home.

We are looking for a new home.

  • 私たちは - 「私たち」
  • 新しい - "New" in Japanese
  • 住まい - "House" in Japanese
  • を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
  • 探しています - "We are looking" in Japanese

Other Words of this Type: verb

See other words from our dictionary that are also: verb

探す