Difference between the verbs 探す, 捜す, and 探る？


To my understanding, they all mean "to search for" but I'm unsure of the
differences between the two and in what contexts I should be using one over
the other. (Edit) Just found out about 捜す. Is there any difference between
this and 探す?




To add examples to MA-Moustache's answer.

探す for 'looking for what you lost/don't have':

  * 鍵/仕事を探す - 探る is not possible here

探る for 'explore/try to find out'

  * 原因を探る - 探す is not impossible, but less idiomatic.
  * 様子を探る - 探す is impossible.

There are cases where both can be used:

  * ポケットを探す means _searching for something particular in the pocket_ while ポケットを探る means more _fumbling in the pocket to see what the subject has_.
  * 海底を探る is _to explore the seabed_ while 海底を探す may be used when you look for something you dropped in the sea, which is not very likely.

Source: [a thesaurus
entry](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/thsrs/4380/meaning/m1u/%E6%8E%A2%E3%82%8B/)




The verbs **探す** and **探る** both mean "to search for," but they are used
slightly differently in Japanese.

**探す** is typically used when actively searching for something that you don't
currently possess or know the location of. It can be used in a variety of
contexts, such as searching for a lost item, looking for a specific person or
thing, or trying to find information on a particular topic.

**探る** , on the other hand, is used more specifically to refer to physically
searching for something by looking around or inspecting a place or object. It
is often used when trying to find something hidden or concealed, such as
searching a room for a hidden key or checking a car for a malfunction.

In general, **探す** is more commonly used in everyday language, while **探る** is
used more specifically in contexts where you are physically searching for
something.

