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道Nihongo Path

Word 2073 of 2920

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探る

さぐる

to grope for, to feel around for; to sound out, to probe

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. ポケットの中を探った。

    ぽけっとのなかをさぐった。

    I felt around inside my pocket.

  2. 遠まわしに彼の意見を探った。

    とおまわしにかれのいけんをさぐった。

    I sounded him out about his views.

  3. 相手の本音を探るのは難しい。

    あいてのほんねをさぐるのはむずかしい。

    It's hard to work out what the other side really thinks.

Common patterns

様子を探る
to feel out the situation
原因を探る
to probe for the cause
手で探る
to grope with one's hand

Memory tip

探す is looking for a thing you know exists; 探る is feeling your way toward something hidden — in a dark bag, or in someone's real intentions.

Kanji in this word

Quick check

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What does 探る mean?