探す vs 探る
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 探す
Listen to 探る
| 探す | 探る |
|---|---|
sa-GA-su verb (transitive) | さぐる verb (transitive) |
| to search for; to look for | to feel around; to probe or explore (physically or figuratively) |
How they differ
探る emphasizes probing, feeling, or testing (e.g., feeling in the dark, investigating someone's intentions), rather than the straightforward act of 'looking' implied by 探す.
When to use each
When to use 探す: Use 探す when you mean actively looking for or seeking something (visible or conceptual) in the usual sense.
When to use 探る: Use 探る when you mean to feel around with your hands, or to probe/explore uncertain information or reactions.
Side-by-side examples
- 仕事を探している。
(I'm looking for a job.) - 暗闇で鍵を手で探った。
(I felt around for the key in the dark.)
Register & nuance: 探る is neutral but leans toward descriptive or investigative contexts and is common in both literal (feeling) and figurative (probing intentions) uses.