Investigation and inspection with 査
査 means “to investigate” or “to clarify”. It is used when examining something in detail to uncover the truth or when verifying whether something is correct or incorrect by comparing it to a standard.
Etymology
This kanji isa phono-semantic compound comprised of 木 (wood) as the semantic component and 且 as the phonetic component (サ).
It originally referred to a wooden raft, before making a semantic shift from checking a constructed object piece by piece to examining things carefully.
Evaluations
検査 (Inspection)
検査 refers to the process of carefully examining something against certain standards to determine whether there are any abnormalities or if it meets the required criteria.
It combines 検 (check) with 査 (inspect) to show a close inspection.
Example 1 of 2: Classroom bag inspection with 検査
Nishikata and Takagi are on duty preparing the classroom before class.
- 高木:
- 「そういえば今日持ちもの検査があったような気が…」
- “Come to think of it, I think we have a bag inspection today…”
Example 2 of 2: Ticket inspection aboard a water bus with 船内
During a meal before practice, Aika notices how Akari is friends with many strangers. Akari says she’ll be missing practice that afternoon because Alicia asked her to buy something. Once she’s gone, Aika and Alice decide to tail her and see if they can learn her secret to being friends with everyone. The two lose sight of Alice, but Alice suggests Akari may have boarded the vaporetto, the water bus. They decided to board as well, but Aika’s never been on the vaporetto before. Alice explains the ticket system, which doesn’t require showing one’s ticket when getting off, but that doesn’t mean they can skip paying.
- アリス:
- 「時々 船内で抜き打ち検査があるのです」
- “Every now and then, they do surprise inspections on board.”
Investigations
調査 (Investigation)
調査 means an investigation, survey, or detailed examination of the facts.
It combines 調 (examine) with 査 (investigate) to show a careful investigation.
Detective Mouri’s favorite idol, Yoko, comes to his agency after receiving threatening calls and candid photos. Her manager hopes to keep the matter quiet to protect her image.
- 毛利:
- 「承知しました！極秘に調査するとしましょう！！」
- “Got it! Let's investigate this discreetly!!”
- ヨーコ:
- 「あ、ありがとうございます！！」
- “Thank you very much!!”
捜査 (Investigation)
捜査 means a criminal investigation by police or prosecutors to identify suspects and gather evidence.
It combines 捜 (search) with 査 (investigate) to show a thorough search and investigation.
Conan is now staying with Detective Mouri in hopes of finding a case related to the men responsible for his becoming a child. He stops by Professor Agasa’s place to discuss the situation.
- 阿笠:
- 「おお、そうじゃ！！」
- “Oh, that's right!!”
- 「君の捜査の役にたつと思って、作った物を…」
- “I made this thinking it might help with your investigation...”