Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 noun 9 Min. Lesezeit

模索

mosaku

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps 模索 in 30 Sekunden

Erklärung 模索 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use 'mosaku' yet. Instead, you use the simple word 'sagasu' (to look for). However, it's good to know that 'mosaku' is a special kind of 'searching' used for ideas, not things. If you are 'searching' for a way to learn Japanese, that is 'mosaku.' If you are 'searching' for your book, that is 'sagasu.' Think of 'mosaku' as 'searching with your brain' while 'sagasu' is 'searching with your eyes.' In A1, we focus on things we can see. 'Mosaku' is for things we cannot see. It's like a puzzle where you don't even know what the picture is supposed to look like yet. You are just trying different pieces to see if they fit.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the A2 level, you might start seeing 'mosaku' in simple news articles or business emails. It's often used when people talk about 'trying to find a way' (michi o mosaku suru). You should understand that this word is more formal than 'sagasu.' When you want to sound more serious about a problem, you use 'mosaku.' For example, if a town is trying to find a way to get more tourists, they are 'mosaku-ing.' It's a useful word because it shows you are thinking deeply about a solution. Just remember: 'mosaku' is for solutions, paths, and ideas. Don't use it for your lost cat or your homework! It's about the 'trial and error' process of solving a big problem.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

As a B1 learner, 'mosaku' is a key word for your vocabulary. This is the level where you move beyond simple objects and start talking about abstract concepts like 'possibility' (kanōsei) and 'solutions' (kaiketsusaku). You should use 'mosaku suru' to describe the process of experimenting to find the best way forward. It's very common in the form 'mosaku shite iru' (is searching). For example, 'I am searching for a way to balance work and study' (Shigoto to benkyō no ryouritsu no michi o mosaku shite iru). This word shows that you understand the nuance of 'groping' or 'feeling your way through' a difficult situation. It's a very 'adult' word that adds maturity to your Japanese.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'mosaku' in various grammatical structures and understand its nuanced difference from synonyms like 'tansaku' or 'kentō.' You'll encounter it in professional contexts, such as discussing market trends or political strategies. You should also be familiar with the idiom 'anchū-mosaku' (groping in the dark), which is a common way to describe the initial, confusing phase of any new project. At this level, you should use 'mosaku' to describe systematic but uncertain exploration. It's perfect for essays about social issues or business reports where the path to success isn't a straight line but a series of tests and adjustments.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

For C1 learners, 'mosaku' becomes a tool for precise expression. You use it to distinguish between a simple search (sagasu), a scientific exploration (tansaku), and a philosophical or strategic 'groping' (mosaku). You should be comfortable using it in the passive voice ('mosaku sareru') to describe societal shifts or in complex sentences that analyze the 'process' of discovery. You'll notice it in high-level literature and editorial pieces where it signifies a deep, often existential, search for meaning or direction. At this level, you appreciate the word's historical roots in 'groping for a rope' and use it to convey the tactile, difficult nature of finding truth in a complex world.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C2 level, 'mosaku' is a versatile term used to discuss the frontiers of human knowledge and social evolution. You use it to critique the 'trial and error' nature of policy-making or the 'mosaku' of an artist's entire career. You understand its subtle connotations of 'uncertainty' and 'persistence' and can use it to add layers of meaning to your speech and writing. Whether discussing the 'mosaku' of a nation's identity or the 'mosaku' of a scientist's breakthrough, you use the word to highlight the human element of the search—the doubt, the effort, and the eventual discovery. It is no longer just a vocabulary word; it is a conceptual framework for describing how progress happens.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

模索 in 30 Sekunden

Mosaku means searching for an abstract solution through trial and error.
It is a formal 'suru-verb' used for ideas, paths, and methods.
Never use it for physical objects like keys or wallets; use 'sagasu' instead.
It originates from the image of 'groping in the dark' (anchū-mosaku).

The Japanese word 模索 (もさく, mosaku) is a powerful and evocative term that translates most closely to 'searching,' 'groping,' or 'exploring a way forward.' However, unlike the simple verb 探す (sagasu), which refers to looking for a lost physical object like keys or a phone, 模索 is used exclusively for abstract concepts. It describes the intellectual or spiritual process of trying to find a solution, a method, or a path in a situation where the answer is not yet clear. It often implies a process of trial and error, where one is feeling their way through the dark, testing different possibilities to see what works.

Core Nuance: The word carries a sense of uncertainty. You are not just 'looking' for something that exists; you are 'navigating' through ambiguity to create or discover a viable path.

新しいビジネスモデルを模索している最中です。
(We are currently in the middle of searching for a new business model.)

In contemporary Japanese, you will encounter this word frequently in business, politics, and self-improvement contexts. When a company is failing and needs a new strategy, they are in a state of 模索. When a person is unhappy with their career and is trying out various hobbies or side-hustles to find their 'calling,' they are undergoing 模索. It is a word that acknowledges the difficulty of the search while highlighting the proactive effort being made to improve the situation.

The kanji themselves tell a story. 模 (mo) means 'model,' 'pattern,' or 'imitation,' and 索 (saku) means 'search,' 'cord,' or 'rope.' Historically, the term is linked to the four-character idiom 暗中模索 (anchū-mosaku), which literally means 'groping for something in the dark.' Imagine being in a pitch-black room and trying to find the exit by feeling the walls and objects around you. That visceral image is exactly what the word 模索 conveys in a metaphorical sense. It is not a passive waiting; it is an active, tactile search for a way out.

Common Usage: It is most commonly used as a noun followed by the verb 'suru' (to do), as in 'mosaku suru' (to search/explore).

政府は経済再生への道を模索している。
(The government is searching for a path to economic recovery.)

Culturally, 模索 reflects the Japanese value of persistence and the 'process' (keika). In Western contexts, we often focus on the discovery (the 'Eureka' moment), but 模索 emphasizes the struggle and the systematic exploration that precedes the discovery. It is a respectful word to describe someone who is working hard to figure things out, even if they haven't succeeded yet. It validates the 'trial' part of 'trial and error.'

Using 模索 (mosaku) correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as a 'suru-verb' (noun that functions as a verb). In most cases, it follows the pattern: [Abstract Noun] + を + 模索する. The abstract noun represents the goal or the solution you are seeking. Common objects for 模索 include 解決策 (kaiketsusaku - solution), 道 (michi - path/way), 可能性 (kanōsei - possibility), and 方向性 (hōkōsei - direction).

Structure 1: Simple Action: [Target] を模索する (To search for [Target])

我々は共存の道を模索しなければならない。
(We must search for a way to coexist.)

Another frequent usage is the continuous form 模索している (mosaku shite iru), which describes an ongoing effort. Because 模索 is a process, this form is often more natural than the simple present. It suggests that the search has been happening for some time and continues into the present. You can also use 模索中 (mosaku-chū) as a noun to mean 'currently searching' or 'under exploration.'

自分の適職を模索し続けて１０年が経った。
(Ten years have passed while I continued searching for my suitable career.)

In formal writing, 模索 is often paired with verbs like 続ける (tsuzukeru - to continue) or 強いられる (shiirareru - to be forced to). For instance, 'mosaku o shiirareru' means 'to be forced to search for a way out,' usually implying a desperate situation. This highlights the word's ability to carry emotional weight—it’s not just a casual search; it’s a vital one.

Structure 2: State of Being: [Topic] は模索中だ (The [Topic] is under exploration/being searched for.)

次世代のエネルギー源は今も模索されている。
(Next-generation energy sources are still being explored today.)

When used in the passive voice (模索される), it indicates that a society, a team, or a global community is collectively looking for an answer. This is common in academic papers or news reports discussing global issues like climate change or diplomatic relations. The word bridges the gap between individual effort and collective human endeavor.

While 模索 (mosaku) is a B1-level word, its frequency in adult conversation and professional media is extremely high. You will hear it most often in three specific domains: Corporate Strategy, News/Politics, and Personal Development (Counseling or Career Coaching). In a corporate setting, a CEO might say, 'We are 模索-ing a new market,' which sounds much more professional and determined than simply saying 'We are looking for a market.'

Business Context: Used when discussing R&D (Research and Development), pivots in strategy, or troubleshooting complex organizational issues.

不況を乗り越えるための打開策を模索する会議が行われた。
(A meeting was held to explore breakthrough measures to overcome the recession.)

On NHK News or in the Asahi Shimbun, you will see 模索 used to describe diplomatic negotiations. When two countries are in a standoff, reporters will say they are 'searching for a point of compromise' (妥協点を模索する). This usage highlights the 'groping' aspect—neither side wants to back down, so they must carefully feel their way toward a middle ground without losing face.

彼は自分らしい生き方を模索して、旅に出た。
(He went on a journey, searching for a way of life that felt true to himself.)

In academic circles, particularly in the humanities and social sciences, 模索 is used to describe the evolution of theories or the search for new paradigms. It suggests that the existing models are no longer sufficient and that scholars are actively 'groping' for a better understanding of the world. This makes it a very 'intellectual' sounding word, perfect for essays and formal presentations.

News Media: Frequently used in headlines regarding peace talks, economic policies, or social reforms where the outcome is uncertain.

与野党が歩み寄りの道を模索している。
(The ruling and opposition parties are searching for a path to compromise.)

Finally, in the world of art and creative writing, 模索 describes the 'creative process' itself. An artist doesn't just 'paint'; they 模索 for a new style or a way to express a complex emotion. If you are learning Japanese and trying to find the best way to memorize kanji, you are currently 模索-ing your own learning style!

The most common mistake English speakers make with 模索 (mosaku) is using it for physical objects. In English, 'search' can apply to both a lost wallet and a solution to world hunger. In Japanese, these are strictly separated. If you say 'Saifu o mosaku shite iru' (I am searching for my wallet), a Japanese person will be very confused or find it unintentionally hilarious, as it sounds like you are undergoing a deep, philosophical trial-and-error process to find your leather billfold.

Mistake 1: Physical Objects: Incorrect: メガネを模索する (Searching for glasses).
Correct: メガネを探す (Looking for glasses).

❌ 鍵を模索する。
✅ 鍵を探す。
(Don't use 'mosaku' for keys!)

Another mistake is confusing 模索 with 検討 (kentō - consideration/examination). 検討 is used when you already have a few specific options on the table and you are deciding which one is best. 模索 is used *before* you even have those options. If you have three job offers, you 検討 them. If you have no idea what job you want, you 模索 for a career path.

A third mistake involves formality. While 模索 is not 'stiff' academic jargon, it is a 'kango' (Chinese-origin word), which makes it more formal than 'kunyomi' (Japanese-origin) words like 探し回る (sagashimawaru). Using 模索 in a very casual setting, like asking a friend what they want for dinner, might sound overly dramatic or ironic. 'What should we eat? Let us mosaku for a restaurant!' sounds like a line from a mock-epic poem.

Mistake 2: Over-Formality: Using it for trivial, everyday decisions makes you sound like a philosopher in a convenience store.

❌ 今日のランチを模索しよう。
✅ どこで食べるか考えよう。
(Just 'think' about lunch, don't 'mosaku' it.)

Finally, be careful with the particle usage. It almost always takes 'o' (を) because you are searching *for* something. Some learners mistakenly use 'ni' (に) or 'de' (で) because they think of it as 'searching in a place.' While you can say 'kurayami de mosaku suru' (to grope in the dark), the target of your search is always the direct object with 'o'.

To truly master 模索 (mosaku), you must understand its neighbors in the Japanese vocabulary. The most common synonym is 探索 (tansaku). While both mean 'search,' 探索 is more clinical, scientific, or digital. A robot 'tansaku-s' a planet; a computer 'tansaku-s' a database. 模索 is more 'human' and 'messy'—it involves uncertainty and personal or social struggle.

Comparison: 模索 vs 探索: 模索: Abstract, trial-and-error, human struggle (e.g., searching for peace).
探索: Systematic, data-driven, physical or digital (e.g., searching for a file, exploring a cave).

火星の地表を探索する。
(Exploring/Searching the surface of Mars - Systematically.)

Another alternative is 追及 (tsuikyū - pursuit). This is used when you are 'chasing' something that is already defined, like 'pursuing the truth' (shinjitsu o tsuikyū suru) or 'pursuing a goal.' 模索 is for when you don't even know what the 'truth' or 'goal' looks like yet. 模索 is the stage *before* 追及.

理想の社会を追求する。
(To pursue an ideal society - Focus on the goal.)

For more casual settings, you can use 探る (saguru). This means 'to probe' or 'to feel around.' It can be used physically (feeling in your pocket) or metaphorically (probing someone's feelings). It is the 'kunyomi' cousin of 模索. While 模索 sounds like a serious endeavor, 探る sounds a bit more like 'checking things out' or 'testing the waters.'

Summary Table

模索 (Mosaku): Strategic/Philosophical trial-and-error.
探索 (Tansaku): Systematic/Scientific search.
追求 (Tsuikyū): Chasing a defined goal.
探る (Saguru): Probing/Feeling around (Casual).
探す (Sagasu): Looking for something lost/needed (General).

Finally, consider the idiom 暗中模索 (anchū-mosaku). If you want to emphasize that the search is particularly difficult or that you have absolutely no clues, using this four-character idiom will make you sound very proficient. It literally means 'groping in the dark' and is a perfect way to describe the early stages of a project or a difficult period in life.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The 'saku' in mosaku is the same 'saku' in 'sakuin' (index/searching through a book). It implies a very tactile, hands-on type of searching.

Aussprachehilfe

UK mo̞sa̠kɯᵝ

US mo̞sa̠kɯᵝ

Japanese uses pitch accent. In 'mosaku,' the pitch is usually low-high-high (Heiban style).

Reimt sich auf

Kōsaku (工作 - work/construction) Saisaku (制作 - production) Kensaku (検索 - search/lookup) Tansaku (探索 - exploration) Sakusaku (さくさく - crisp/smoothly) Ryōsaku (良策 - good plan) Shisaku (試作 - prototype) Gensaku (原作 - original work)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'mo' as 'mou' (long vowel).
Over-emphasizing the 'u' in 'ku' (it should be nearly silent).
Confusing 'mosaku' with 'musaku' (which means something else).
Using English stress on the first syllable.
Misreading the kanji as 'mosō' (which means delusion).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

The kanji are slightly complex but common in news.

Schreiben 4/5

The kanji 模 and 索 require practice to write correctly.

Sprechen 2/5

Easy to pronounce and use as a suru-verb.

Hören 2/5

Distinct sound makes it easy to catch in speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

探す (sagasu) 道 (michi) 方法 (hōhō) 解決 (kaiketsu) 暗い (kurai)

Als Nächstes lernen

検討 (kentō) 追求 (tsuikyū) 探索 (tansaku) 試行錯誤 (shikō-sakugo) 打開策 (dakaisaku)

Fortgeschritten

形而上学 (keijijōgaku) 帰納的 (kinōteki) 演繹的 (en'ekiteki) パラダイムシフト (paradigm shift)

Wichtige Grammatik

Suru-verbs (N+する)

模索する、勉強する、料理する

Continuous aspect (~ている)

解決策を模索している。

Nominalization with 'koto' or 'no'

模索することは大切だ。

Passive voice (~される)

新しい道が模索されている。

Compound verbs (~し続ける)

答えを模索し続ける。

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

道を模索します。

I search for a way.

Simple present form.

方法を模索しています。

I am searching for a method.

Continuous form (~te iru).

いい案を模索する。

Search for a good idea.

Dictionary form used as a noun modifier or simple statement.

答えを模索中だ。

I am in the middle of searching for the answer.

Noun + chū (in the middle of).

彼は模索を続けた。

He continued the search.

Noun + o + tsuzuketa (continued).

新しい道を模索したい。

I want to search for a new path.

~tai (want to) form.

一緒に模索しましょう。

Let's search together.

~mashō (let's) form.

模索は難しい。

Searching is difficult.

Noun as a subject.

解決策を模索する必要があります。

It is necessary to search for a solution.

hitsuyou ga arimasu (need to).

自分の将来を模索しています。

I am searching for my future.

Abstract object: future.

会社は新しい市場を模索した。

The company searched for a new market.

Past tense.

平和のための道を模索する。

Search for a path for peace.

Tame no (for the sake of).

もっと良い方法を模索しよう。

Let's search for a better way.

Volitional form (~ō).

彼は今、出口を模索している。

He is now searching for an exit (way out).

Metaphorical exit.

私たちは可能性を模索した。

We explored the possibilities.

Kanōsei (possibility).

模索することが大切です。

Searching (for a way) is important.

Nominalizing with 'koto'.

試行錯誤しながら、最善の策を模索する。

While using trial and error, search for the best plan.

Shikō-sakugo (trial and error) + nagara.

伝統を守りつつ、新しい形を模索している。

While protecting tradition, we are searching for a new form.

Tsutsu (while/simultaneously).

不況の中、企業は生き残る道を模索している。

In the middle of a recession, companies are searching for a way to survive.

Naka (in/amidst).

彼は自分のアイデンティティを模索し続けた。

He continued to search for his identity.

Compound verb: mosaku + shi-tsuzukeru.

妥協点を模索することで、合意に至った。

By searching for a compromise, they reached an agreement.

De (by means of).

新しいライフスタイルを模索する人が増えている。

The number of people searching for a new lifestyle is increasing.

Relative clause modifying 'hito'.

政府は少子化対策を模索しているが、まだ答えは出ていない。

The government is searching for measures against the declining birthrate, but no answer has emerged yet.

Gyakusetsu (but/however) with 'ga'.

暗闇の中で出口を模索するような日々だった。

They were days like searching for an exit in the dark.

Yō na (like/similar to).

持続可能な社会の実現に向け、新たなエネルギー源を模索する。

Toward the realization of a sustainable society, we search for new energy sources.

Ni muke (toward/aiming for).

混迷を極める情勢の中で、平和への糸口を模索する。

In a situation of extreme confusion, we search for a clue to peace.

Itoguchi (clue/start of a thread).

作家は独自の表現スタイルを求めて、常に模索している。

The writer is always searching, seeking their own style of expression.

Motomete (seeking).

過去の失敗を教訓に、再起の道を模索しなければならない。

Taking past failures as a lesson, we must search for a way to make a comeback.

Ni (as/taking as) + kyōkun (lesson).

デジタル化が進む中で、書店の在り方が模索されている。

As digitalization progresses, the way bookstores should exist is being explored.

Passive voice: mosaku sarete iru.

多様な価値観が共存できる社会の構築を模索する。

Search for the construction of a society where diverse values can coexist.

Kōchiku (construction/building).

未知の領域に踏み出し、新たな可能性を模索する勇気が必要だ。

The courage to step into unknown territory and search for new possibilities is necessary.

Fumidashi (stepping into).

彼は長年、真理を模索し続けてきた哲学者だ。

He is a philosopher who has continued to search for truth for many years.

Shi-tsuzukete kita (has continued to...).

ポストコロナ時代の新たな経済秩序を模索する議論が活発化している。

Discussions searching for a new economic order in the post-COVID era are becoming more active.

Kappatsuka (becoming active).

既存の枠組みにとらわれず、抜本的な改革案を模索すべきである。

We should search for radical reform plans without being bound by existing frameworks.

Torawarezu (without being bound by).

伝統芸能の継承と革新の狭間で、次世代の担い手たちが模索している。

Between the inheritance and innovation of traditional arts, the next generation of practitioners is searching.

Hazama (between/interval).

混迷する国際社会において、日本が果たすべき役割を模索する。

In a confused international society, search for the role Japan should play.

Hatasu-beki (should play/fulfill).

科学技術の進歩に伴い、倫理的な境界線が常に模索されている。

With the progress of science and technology, ethical boundaries are constantly being explored.

Ni tomonai (along with).

彼は絶望の淵に立ちながらも、一筋の希望を模索し続けた。

Even while standing on the brink of despair, he continued to search for a single ray of hope.

Fuchi (brink/edge) + nagara-mo.

都市開発と自然保護の両立を目指し、最適なモデルを模索する。

Aiming for the coexistence of urban development and nature conservation, search for the optimal model.

Ryōritsu (coexistence/compatibility).

自己の限界を超え、新たな自己像を模索する旅が始まった。

The journey to go beyond one's limits and search for a new self-image has begun.

Genkai o koe (beyond limits).

形而上学的な問いに対し、人類は数千年にわたり答えを模索してきた。

Humanity has been searching for answers to metaphysical questions for thousands of years.

Keijijōgakuteki (metaphysical).

資本主義の限界が指摘される今、オルタナティブな社会システムが模索されている。

Now that the limits of capitalism are being pointed out, alternative social systems are being explored.

Alternative (alternative).

言葉にできない深淵な感情を、詩人は言葉の森の中で模索する。

The poet searches for profound emotions that cannot be put into words within a forest of language.

Shin'en (profound/abyssal).

グローバル化の荒波の中で、ナショナル・アイデンティティの再定義が模索されている。

In the rough waves of globalization, a redefinition of national identity is being explored.

Aranami (rough waves).

科学的合理性と宗教的神秘主義の融合を模索する試みが見られる。

Attempts to search for a fusion of scientific rationality and religious mysticism can be seen.

Yūgō (fusion).

民主主義の形骸化が懸念される中、市民参画の新たな地平が模索されている。

While the hollowing out of democracy is a concern, new horizons of citizen participation are being explored.

Keigaika (hollowing out/becoming a shell).

技術革新がもたらすディストピアを回避すべく、人類の叡智が模索されている。

In order to avoid the dystopia brought by technological innovation, the wisdom of humanity is being explored.

Subeku (in order to).

自我の消滅と再生のプロセスにおいて、魂の救済が模索される。

In the process of the ego's extinction and rebirth, the salvation of the soul is searched for.

Kyūsai (salvation/relief).

Synonyme

探索追求探求試行錯誤

Gegenteile

確定妥協

Häufige Kollokationen

解決策を模索する

道を模索する

可能性を模索する

妥協点を模索する

出口を模索する

生き残る道を模索する

方向性を模索する

新境地を模索する

共存の道を模索する

模索し続ける

Häufige Phrasen

暗中模索

— Groping in the dark; searching for a clue without any guidance.

最初は暗中模索の状態だった。

模索中

— Currently searching; under exploration.

現在、新しい企画を模索中です。

模索を強いられる

— To be forced to search for a way out.

厳しい状況下で模索を強いられた。

独自の道を模索する

— To search for one's own unique path.

彼は他人に頼らず、独自の道を模索した。

模索の末に

— After a period of searching.

模索の末に、ようやく答えが見つかった。

模索の段階

— The stage of searching/exploring.

まだ模索の段階なので、詳細は決まっていない。

模索が続く

— The search continues.

混乱の中、模索が続いている。

新たな可能性を模索する

— To explore new possibilities.

私たちは常に新たな可能性を模索している。

手探りで模索する

— To search gropingly (emphasizes the 'feeling around' aspect).

手探りで解決の糸口を模索する。

模索を繰り返す

— To search repeatedly through trial and error.

失敗を恐れず模索を繰り返す。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

模索 vs 探す (sagasu)

Used for physical objects or people. Mosaku is for abstract solutions.

模索 vs 検討 (kentō)

Used for choosing between known options. Mosaku is for finding options.

模索 vs 探索 (tansaku)

More scientific or systematic (like exploring a cave or a database).

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"暗中模索 (anchū-mosaku)"

— Groping in the dark. Trying to find a solution with zero clues.

新事業の立ち上げは暗中模索の連続だった。

Formal/Literary

"五里霧中 (gorimuchū)"

— Lost in a deep fog. Similar to anchū-mosaku, but emphasizes being lost.

方針が決まらず、五里霧中の状態だ。

Formal

"試行錯誤 (shikō-sakugo)"

— Trial and error.

試行錯誤して、やっと成功した。

Neutral

"手探り (tesaguri)"

— Groping; feeling one's way.

手探りで仕事を進める。

Neutral

"雲を掴むような (kumo o tsukamu yō na)"

— Like trying to catch a cloud (vague/impossible).

彼の話は雲を掴むようで、模索のしようがない。

Idiomatic

"糸口を見出す (itoguchi o miidasu)"

— To find a clue/start of a thread.

解決の糸口を模索する。

Formal

"暗闇に光を差す (kurayami ni hikari o sasu)"

— To bring light into the darkness (finding a solution).

模索の末、暗闇に光が差した。

Literary

"道なき道を歩む (michi naki michi o ayumu)"

— To walk a path where none exists (pioneering/mosaku).

彼は道なき道を模索しながら進んだ。

Literary

"突破口を開く (toppakō o hiraku)"

— To open a breakthrough.

模索を続け、ついに突破口を開いた。

Neutral

"手掛かりを探す (tegakari o sagasu)"

— To look for clues.

事件解決の手掛かりを模索する。

Neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

模索 vs 検索 (kensaku)

Both have 'saku' and mean 'search.'

Kensaku is specifically for looking up information in a database or book.

Googleで検索する。

模索 vs 思索 (shisaku)

Both involve deep thinking.

Shisaku is purely mental/philosophical contemplation. Mosaku involves action/trial.

静かに思索にふける。

模索 vs 捜索 (sōsaku)

Sounds similar and means search.

Sōsaku is for missing persons or criminal evidence (police search).

行方不明者を捜索する。

模索 vs 策 (saku)

The second kanji of mosaku.

Saku means 'plan' or 'measure.' Mosaku is the search for that plan.

良い策を立てる。

模索 vs 摸索

Alternative kanji.

Basically the same, but 模索 is the standard joyo kanji version.

模索 (standard).

Satzmuster

[Object] を模索する

新しい方法を模索する。

[Object] を模索している

解決策を模索している。

[Object] は模索中だ

その案は模索中だ。

[Object] を模索し続ける

可能性を模索し続ける。

[Object] が模索されている

新たな道が模索されている。

模索の末に [Result]

模索の末に、成功を掴んだ。

暗中模索の状態で [Action]

暗中模索の状態でプロジェクトを始めた。

[Context] における [Object] の模索

現代社会における幸福の模索。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

模索 (mosaku - searching)

暗中模索 (anchū-mosaku - groping in dark)

Verben

模索する (mosaku suru - to search)

Adjektive

模索的な (mosakuteki na - exploratory)

Verwandt

探索 (tansaku)

検索 (kensaku)

思索 (shisaku)

索敵 (sakuteki)

索引 (sakuin)

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in news, business, and adult conversation.

Häufige Fehler

Using mosaku for a lost wallet. → 財布を探す。
Mosaku is only for abstract concepts.
Saying 'mosaku ni suru'. → 模索する。
It is a suru-verb, so 'ni' is not needed.
Confusing mosaku with kensaku. → ネットで検索する。
Kensaku is for databases/internet.
Using mosaku for choosing between two clear options. → 二つの案を検討する。
Use kentō for choosing between existing options.
Misspelling the kanji 索. → 模索
Pay attention to the bottom part of 索 (it's not 木 or 米).

Tipps

Business Context

Use 'mosaku' in meetings to show you are actively looking for solutions to complex problems.

Verb Form

Remember to use 'mosaku shite iru' for ongoing searches.

Kanji Tip

The kanji 索 (search) looks like a rope being pulled. Think of pulling a rope to find your way.

Synonym Choice

Choose 'mosaku' over 'sagasu' when the target is an idea, not a thing.

Yojijukugo

Memorize 'Anchū-mosaku' as it is a very common 4-kanji idiom.

Confidence

Using 'mosaku' correctly makes you sound like an upper-intermediate (B2) speaker.

Mindset

In Japan, 'mosaku' is seen as a positive sign of effort and humility.

Essays

Use it to describe the process of discovery in scientific or social research.

News Keywords

It's a high-frequency keyword in political and economic news.

Mnemonic

MOre SAKU (Searching) = MOSAKU.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'MO're 'SAKU' (searching). You need MORE searching (mosaku) to find the solution!

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person in a dark room (the 'dark' of a problem) feeling along a rope (the 'saku' kanji) to find the exit.

Word Web

Solution Trial and Error Uncertainty Path Groping Business Strategy Identity Future

Herausforderung

Try to use 'mosaku' in a sentence about your own Japanese studies. What are you 'mosaku-ing' right now? Your learning style? Your speaking practice?

Wortherkunft

The word comes from Classical Chinese. 'Mo' (模) originally meant a wooden mold or pattern, and 'Saku' (索) meant a rope or to search by pulling a rope.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To feel for a pattern or a rope in the dark to find one's way.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Kultureller Kontext

It is a very safe and professional word. No negative connotations.

In English, we often use 'exploring' or 'brainstorming,' but 'mosaku' specifically implies the struggle of not knowing the answer.

Used in countless NHK documentaries about historical figures searching for a new Japan. Often appears in the lyrics of J-Pop songs about finding one's identity. Commonly used in political speeches regarding the 'lost decades' of the Japanese economy.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Business Strategy

新規事業を模索する
コスト削減を模索する
提携先を模索する
市場開拓を模索する

Personal Life

生き方を模索する
趣味を模索する
自分らしさを模索する
転職先を模索する

Politics

平和への道を模索する
経済政策を模索する
合意形成を模索する
新法案を模索する

Creative Arts

新しいスタイルを模索する
表現方法を模索する
テーマを模索する
素材を模索する

Science/Research

新薬を模索する
理論の妥当性を模索する
実験方法を模索する
新技術を模索する

Gesprächseinstiege

"最近、何か新しい趣味を模索していますか？ (Are you searching for any new hobbies lately?)"

"仕事で一番難しい解決策を模索した経験は？ (What was your experience searching for the most difficult solution at work?)"

"日本語の上達のために、どんな方法を模索していますか？ (What methods are you exploring to improve your Japanese?)"

"将来、どんな生き方を模索したいですか？ (What kind of lifestyle do you want to explore in the future?)"

"今の社会で、もっと模索されるべき問題は何だと思いますか？ (What problems do you think should be explored more in today's society?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今の自分にとって、一番『模索』が必要なことは何ですか？具体的に書いてみましょう。 (What do you need to 'explore' most right now? Write specifically.)

過去に『暗中模索』した経験について書いてください。どうやって解決しましたか？ (Write about a time you were 'groping in the dark.' How did you solve it?)

十年後の自分は、何を模索していると思いますか？ (What do you think your future self in ten years will be searching for?)

『模索』と『探す』の違いについて、自分の言葉で説明してください。 (Explain the difference between 'mosaku' and 'sagasu' in your own words.)

新しいプロジェクトを始めるとき、あなたはどのように道を模索しますか？ (How do you search for a path when starting a new project?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, you should use '探す' (sagasu). 'Mosaku' is for abstract things like solutions or paths.

It is a bit formal, but common when discussing serious life choices or work strategies.

'Tansaku' is more systematic or scientific. 'Mosaku' is more about trial and error in uncertain situations.

Use it to describe a situation where you have no clues and are just trying anything to find a way out.

Yes, it is a noun that can also be used as a verb with 'suru'.

Yes, for example, 'searching for a new winning strategy' (shōri no hōteishiki o mosaku suru).

Usually the object particle 'o' (を).

Yes, especially in news and business contexts.

It sounds a bit too formal/dramatic. 'Sagasu' or 'deai o motomeru' is better.

Words like 'dannen' (giving up) or 'hōchi' (leaving as is).

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen