(たんきゅうしん)

たんきゅうしん
noun
spirit of inquiry; intellectual curiosity
1. spirit of inquiry; intellectual curiosity
The desire to deeply investigate and understand things; a curious and questioning mindset.
探究心(たんきゅうしん)(つよ)(ひと)
They are a person with strong intellectual curiosity.
子供(こども)探究心(たんきゅうしん)(そだ)てる
To nurture children's spirit of inquiry.
Scientists need a spirit of inquiry.

探究心(たんきゅうしん) combines 探究(たんきゅう) (inquiry, investigation) + (しん) (mind, spirit). It describes a deep intellectual drive to understand things thoroughly.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 好奇心(こうきしん): curiosity (broader — can include casual or passing interest)
  • 向上心(こうじょうしん): desire for self-improvement
  • 探求心(たんきゅうしん): also "spirit of inquiry" (using (きゅう) instead of (きゅう) — similar meaning but 探究(たんきゅう) emphasizes deeper investigation)

REGISTER:
Somewhat formal. Often used in educational and academic contexts.