突き詰める

• Reading: つきつめる
• Romaji: tsukitsumeru
• Kanji breakdown: 突 (totsu/tsu) — to thrust, to probe; 詰める (tsumeru) — to pack in, to pursue relentlessly
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.ki.tsɯ.me.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To investigate thoroughly; to think something through to its logical conclusion; to push a question to its ultimate depth.

A Group 2 (ichidan) compound verb combining 突く (to thrust, to probe) and 詰める (to compress, to pack). Implies a relentless intellectual pursuit — not stopping until every corner of an issue has been probed. Often used for philosophical inquiry, meticulous problem analysis, or pursuing an argument to its end.

Examples

1. 問題の原因を突き詰めると、組織の構造的欠陥にたどり着いた。 When we investigated the cause of the problem thoroughly, we arrived at a structural flaw in the organization.
2. 彼は物事を突き詰めて考える癖がある。 He has a habit of thinking things through to their logical conclusion.
3. 倫理的な問題を突き詰めると、単純な答えは出てこない。 When you push an ethical question to its ultimate depth, no simple answer emerges.

Usage Guide

Context: philosophy, problem-solving, academic research

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 突く (to probe, to thrust into) and 詰める (to pack, to pursue relentlessly). Together they suggest pressing a matter until there is nowhere further to go.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated