捜索

• Reading: そうさく
• Romaji: sousaku
• Kanji breakdown: 捜 (sou) — to search, look for; 索 (saku) — to seek, trace
• Pronunciation: /soː.sa.kɯ/

Meaning

Search; manhunt. An organised effort to find someone or something missing.

A する verb (捜索する) used primarily for formal, organised searches conducted by police, rescue teams, or authorities. Distinct from 探す (casual searching for lost items) and 検索 (searching data or information). Commonly appears in news reports about missing persons, criminal investigations, and disaster rescue operations.

Examples

1. 警察は行方不明者の捜索を続けている。 The police are continuing the search for the missing person.
2. 山岳地帯で大規模な捜索活動が行われた。 A large-scale search operation was conducted in the mountainous area.
3. 裁判所の令状なしに家宅捜索はできない。 A search of someone's home cannot be conducted without a court warrant.

Usage Guide

Context: law enforcement, news reporting, rescue operations

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 捜 (sou, to search/look for) + 索 (saku, to search/seek). Both characters carry the meaning of searching, with 索 adding the nuance of tracing or following a lead.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal