Meaning and Usage
"発見" (はっけん) means "discovery" or "detection." It is used when someone finds something new or uncovers something previously unknown. This word is common in scientific, investigative, and everyday contexts.
Common Collocations
- 発見する: to discover or detect something.
- 発見された: something that has been discovered.
- 発見者: the discoverer.
Nuances and Register
"発見" is a neutral, formal noun often used in written and spoken Japanese. It can refer to both physical discoveries (like a new star or evidence) and abstract findings (like a solution or cause).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "発見" with "見つける" (to find). "発見" implies discovering something new or previously unknown, while "見つける" can mean simply finding something that was lost or visible.
Use "発見" when emphasizing the novelty or importance of what was found.