探(さぐ)る

さぐる
godan verb
to search, to probe, to explore; to investigate
1. to search, to grope for
To search for something by feeling around, especially in the dark.
暗(くら)い中(なか)でスイッチを探(さぐ)った。
I groped for the switch in the dark.
ポケットの中(なか)を探(さぐ)って鍵(かぎ)を見(み)つけた。
I felt around in my pocket and found the key.
手探(てさぐ)りで壁(かべ)に沿(そ)って歩(ある)いた。
I walked along the wall, feeling my way.
2. to probe, to investigate
To examine or look into something carefully to find information.
真相(しんそう)を探(さぐ)るために調査(ちょうさ)した。
I investigated to find out the truth.
警察(けいさつ)が事件(じけん)の背景(はいけい)を探(さぐ)っている。
The police are investigating the background of the case.
その会社(かいしゃ)の経営(けいえい)状況(じょうきょう)を探(さぐ)った。
I looked into the company's financial situation.
3. to sound out, to feel out
To try to discover someone's intentions or opinions indirectly.
相手(あいて)の意図(いと)を探(さぐ)る。
Probe the other person's intentions.
上司(じょうし)の意向(いこう)をそれとなく探(さぐ)った。
I casually sounded out my boss's intentions.
相手(あいて)の本音(ほんね)を探(さぐ)るのは難(むずか)しい。
It is hard to find out what the other person really thinks.

探(さぐ)る means to search or probe, often by touch or careful investigation.

TRANSITIVITY:

  • Type: Transitive (他動詞(たどうし))
  • Pattern: Xを探(さぐ)る

COMPARISON WITH 探(さが)す:

  • 探(さが)す: To look for, to search (general)
  • 探(さぐ)る: To probe, to feel around, to investigate (more specific)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • ポケットを探(さぐ)る (to search through one's pocket)
  • 意図(いと)を探(さぐ)る (to probe intentions)
  • 本音(ほんね)を探(さぐ)る (to find out one's true feelings)
  • 様子(ようす)を探(さぐ)る (to feel out the situation)
  • 手探(てさぐ)りで (by groping, fumblingly)

Related Words

Related: 探(さが)す (to search for)
general
Added 2026.1.13 10:47 · Revised 2026.3.2 13:03
03500/03923_saguru