Japanese word of the day: 探す (Sagasu)

What does 探す (Sagasu) mean?

探す (Sagasu) (う-verb, transitive) – To search; to look for; to seek. This verb is used any time you’re actively trying to find something—whether it’s your keys, a new apartment, or even a job. It’s a practical, everyday word for Japanese learners.

Kanji details for 探

Character: 探 — grope, search, look for
Radical: hand 手 (扌龵)

Example sentences with 探す (Sagasu)

• 新しい仕事を探しています。
  (Atarashii shigoto o sagashiteimasu.)
  💼 I’m looking for a new job.

• 駅で友達を探しました。
  (Eki de tomodachi o sagashimashita.)
  🚉 I looked for my friend at the station.

• 財布を探してください。
  (Saifu o sagashite kudasai.)
  👛 Please look for the wallet.

Confused about how to conjugate 探す?
Our conjugation tables can help.

探す (Sagasu) in context

探す is a must-know verb for daily life in Japan. Use it when you’re searching for lost items, hunting for new opportunities, or simply trying to find the best place to eat. It’s often paired with 〜を (the object marker) to specify what you’re looking for.

A quick tip: 探す is for searching for things you want or need, while 探す (also sagasu, but with a different kanji) is used for searching for something lost or missing, like a person or pet.

Whether you’re job hunting, house hunting, or just looking for your phone, 探す is the essential word for all your searches in Japanese.