In Japanese, there are tons of homophones with different meanings that can really confuse learners, especially words that sound the same but are written with different kanji characters. A classic example is the two verbs 捜す and 探す, both pronounced sagasu and meaning "to search." However, they're used in totally different contexts.
Meaning and Usage of 「捜す」
捜す (the kanji is 捜 – like in "collection") means searching for something you once had, saw, or knew existed but is now lost or out of sight.
In other words, it's the act of looking for something that's clearly defined, you know where it was or that it existed, but now it's missing so you need to find it again.
Examples:
財布を捜す。 (Search for a wallet – because you know it exists, it's just lost or misplaced.)
迷子になった子どもを捜す。 (Search for a lost child – you know the child exists and is somewhere out there.)
警察が犯人を捜しています。 (The police are searching for the criminal – meaning they know there's a criminal and are trying to track them down.)
Meaning and Usage of 「探す」
探す (the kanji is 探 – like in "exploration") means searching for something you want to have, but you're not sure if it exists or if it's nearby. It's an action of seeking something uncertain, with a sense of "discovery" or "hoping to find."
Examples:
いい仕事を探す。 (Search for a good job – not sure if it's out there, but you're looking anyway.)
新しいアパートを探しています。 (I'm looking for a new apartment – hoping to find a suitable one.)
恋人を探す。 (Search for a partner – meaning you don't have one yet and want to find someone compatible.)
Comparing 「捜す」 and 「探す」 with Real-Life Examples
A really great example of the difference is:
恋人を捜す → Searching for an existing partner (like if your partner is missing or out of contact).
恋人を探す → Searching for a partner you don't have yet (hoping to find someone suitable to date).
Just a different kanji, but the nuance changes completely! So, when writing in Japanese (especially using kanji), you need to understand the context and purpose of the search to pick the right word. Even though both are pronounced sagasu, 捜す and 探す have a subtle difference in usage. When communicating or writing in Japanese, using the correct word not only helps you express yourself accurately but also shows a deeper understanding of the language.
If you're learning Japanese or living in Japan, don't forget to practice distinguishing homophones like these!
Hello everyone. I'm an IT engineer working in Japan. I created this blog to share about life and experiences during my study and work journey. I hope this article will be helpful to you.
