Meaning and Usage
The verb "探す" (さがす) means "to search," "to look for," or "to seek." It is commonly used when you are trying to find something tangible like objects, places, or even abstract things like information or truth.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "探す" in daily life when someone is looking for lost items (財布を探す), searching for a job (仕事を探す), or seeking answers (真実を探す).
Collocations and Patterns
- 財布を探す: to look for a wallet
- 新しい仕事を探す: to look for a new job
- 真実を探す: to seek the truth
These collocations show how "探す" can be used with both concrete and abstract nouns.
Register and Politeness
"探す" is a neutral verb suitable for casual and polite conversation. When speaking politely, it often appears as "探します".
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "探す" with "調べる" (しらべる), which means "to investigate" or "to check." Remember, "探す" implies an active search for something that is missing or unknown, while "調べる" is more about examining or researching information.