찾다 vs 수색하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 찾다
Listen to 수색하다
| 찾다 | 수색하다 |
|---|---|
/chat-DA/ verb | /su-saek-ha-da/ verb |
| to look for; to search for; to find | to search (systematically); to conduct a sweep/search of an area |
How they differ
수색하다 implies an organized, systematic search (often over an area) usually by authorities or teams, while 찾다 is general and can be casual or individual. 수색하다 carries a formal or procedural nuance not present in everyday 찾다.
When to use each
When to use 찾다: Use 찾다 for everyday, individual, or informal acts of searching or finding.
When to use 수색하다: Use 수색하다 when describing organized, systematic searches such as police, military, rescue operations, or official sweeps of an area.
Side-by-side examples
- 강아지를 찾고 있어요.
(I'm looking for my puppy.) - 경찰이 공원에서 범인을 수색했다.
(The police searched the park for the suspect.)
Register & nuance: 수색하다 is more formal and specialized, often used in official, legal, or emergency-response contexts rather than casual conversation.