検討

• Reading: けんとう
• Romaji: kentou
• Kanji breakdown: 検 (ken) — examine, inspect; 討 (tō) — investigate, discuss
• Pronunciation: /keɴ.toː/

Meaning

Consideration; examination; investigation. Carefully evaluating something before making a decision.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (検討する). One of the most important business Japanese terms. Used when proposals, plans, or requests need careful review. 検討します is famously used to politely defer or soft-decline proposals. Common patterns include 検討中 (under consideration) and 検討の余地がある (room for consideration).

Examples

1. このプランをもう少し検討させてください。 Please let me consider this plan a little more.
2. 専門家がデータを詳しく検討している。 Experts are examining the data in detail.
3. 引っ越しするかどうかまだ検討中です。 I'm still considering whether or not to move.

Usage Guide

Context: business, academic, government

Tone: professional

Origin & History

Compound of 検 (ken, to examine/inspect) and 討 (tō, to investigate/attack). Together, 'examining and investigating' — a thorough review before judgment.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal