点検 in 30 Seconds
- Professional inspection for safety and maintenance.
- Used for machines, cars, elevators, and infrastructure.
- Implies a point-by-point systematic check.
- Essential for preventing accidents and ensuring functionality.
The Japanese word 点検 (てんけん - tenken) is a critical term used to describe the process of inspection, specifically focused on safety, functionality, and maintenance. Unlike a casual check (確認 - kakunin), a tenken implies a systematic and often professional examination of machinery, systems, or equipment to ensure they are operating according to standards. It is the backbone of Japanese safety culture, often seen in the phrase 'Safety First' (安全第一).
- Technical Nuance
- It refers to 'pointing' (点) at specific parts and 'examining' (検) them for defects.
- Frequency
- Commonly used in daily life regarding elevators, cars, and gas lines.
- Grammar Category
- It is a Suru-verb (点検する), meaning it can function as both a noun and an action.
"エレベーターの定期点検のため、階段をご利用ください。" (Please use the stairs due to periodic elevator inspection.)
In a broader sense, tenken is about prevention. It is the act of looking for something that might go wrong before it actually does. This reflects the Japanese professional ethos of monozukuri (craftsmanship) and kaizen (continuous improvement), where regular checks prevent catastrophic failures. Whether it is a pilot performing a pre-flight check or a homeowner checking their gas stove, the spirit of tenken is one of meticulous attention to detail.
"車のエンジンを点検してください。" (Please check the car engine.)
The word is composed of two kanji: 点 (point/spot) and 検 (examine/investigate). This suggests that an inspection is not just a general look-over, but a point-by-point verification. In industrial settings, this is often accompanied by yubi-sashi koushou (pointing and calling), where workers point at a gauge and call out its status to ensure total accuracy.
"ガス漏れがないか、入念に点検を行った。" (We conducted a thorough inspection to see if there were any gas leaks.)
- Scope of Use
- Machinery, vehicles, infrastructure, and safety protocols.
- Related Action
- Maintenance (保守 - hoshu) often follows an inspection.
"飛行機は出発前に必ず点検される。" (Airplanes are always inspected before departure.)
Using 点検 (てんけん) correctly requires understanding its role as a formal noun and its transformation into a verb. In professional environments, it is almost always paired with specific objects of maintenance. For example, teiki-tenken (定期点検) refers to a 'periodic inspection'—something every car owner in Japan knows well due to the strict shaken laws.
- As a Noun: "点検が必要です" (Inspection is necessary).
- As a Verb: "設備を点検する" (To inspect the equipment).
- In Compound Words: "自主点検" (Self-inspection), "安全点検" (Safety check).
When you use tenken, you are implying a level of rigor. If you are just checking your pockets for keys, you would use kakunin (確認). If you are opening the hood of a car to check the oil levels and belt tension, you are performing tenken. This distinction is vital for sounding natural in Japanese. The word suggests a checklist is being followed.
In a sentence, the particle を (wo) usually marks the object being inspected. For example, "ブレーキを点検する" (Inspect the brakes). If you are talking about the reason for a delay, you might use で (de) or のため (no tame): "点検のため、電車が遅れています" (The train is delayed due to inspection).
You will encounter 点検 in several specific high-frequency locations in Japan. The most common is the Japanese railway system. If a train stops unexpectedly, the conductor might announce, "車両点検を行っております" (We are performing a vehicle inspection). This is a standard phrase that tells passengers there is a technical check happening.
Another common place is in apartment buildings. Residents often receive notices about shoubousetsubi-tenken (消防設備点検 - fire equipment inspection). During these times, inspectors will enter each apartment to check smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Similarly, gasu-tenken (ガス点検) occurs every few years to ensure there are no leaks in the pipes. These are mandatory safety checks that are part of the fabric of Japanese urban life.
In the workplace, especially in manufacturing or construction, tenken is a daily ritual. The 'start-of-work inspection' (始業点検 - shigyou tenken) ensures that all tools and machines are safe to use before the shift begins. If you work in an office, you might hear it regarding the photocopier or the air conditioning system during seasonal maintenance.
The most frequent mistake learners make is overusing 点検 for casual situations. Because English often uses 'check' for everything, learners might say "宿題を点検してください" (Please inspect my homework). This sounds very strange and overly mechanical. For homework, check (チェック) or mite-kudasai (please look) is much more appropriate. Tenken is for hardware, systems, and safety, not for creative work or simple verification of facts.
Another mistake is confusing tenken with kensa (検査). While they overlap, kensa is often used for medical tests (blood test, X-ray) or official inspections of goods (quality control). You wouldn't usually 'tenken' your blood; you 'kensa' it. Conversely, you 'tenken' a bridge to make sure it's not rusting, but you might 'kensa' the materials used to build it to ensure they meet legal standards.
Finally, remember that tenken is a formal word. In very casual conversation with friends, you might just say check-shita? (Did you check?). Using tenken in a casual setting like "I checked my bag" (カバンを点検した) makes you sound like a security guard or a robot.
To master 点検, you must understand its neighbors in the 'checking' vocabulary family. The most common alternative is 確認 (かくにん - kakunin). Kakunin is a general 'confirmation' or 'verification'. You kakunin a reservation, kakunin a name, or kakunin if the door is locked. It is much broader and less technical than tenken.
検査 (けんさ - kensa) is 'inspection' or 'test'. It is used in medical contexts (健康診断の検査 - health checkup tests) and industrial quality control. While tenken is about maintenance of existing systems, kensa is often about testing something against a specific standard to pass or fail it.
調査 (ちょうさ - chousa) means 'investigation' or 'survey'. This is used when you are looking for information or researching a problem. If a machine breaks, you might do a chousa to find out why, but you do a tenken to prevent it from breaking in the first place.
保守 (ほしゅ - hoshu) means 'maintenance'. This is the broader category that includes tenken. Hoshu involves fixing, cleaning, and inspecting. Tenken is specifically the 'looking and checking' part of the maintenance process.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
～中 (chuu) - currently doing
～のため (no tame) - because of/for the purpose of
～を行う (wo okonau) - to perform/conduct
～される (sareru) - passive voice
～に基づく (ni motozuku) - based on
Examples by Level
エレベーターは点検中です。
The elevator is under inspection.
点検 + 中 (chuu) means 'currently doing' or 'under'.
ここで点検をします。
We will do the inspection here.
Simple object + を + 点検します.
点検はいつですか？
When is the inspection?
Noun + は + いつですか.
ガス点検が来ます。
The gas inspection (person) is coming.
Compound noun: Gas + Tenken.
車を点検してください。
Please inspect the car.
Te-form + kudasai for requests.
点検が終わりました。
The inspection has finished.
Past tense of owaru (to finish).
毎日の点検が大切です。
Daily inspection is important.
Adjective 'taisetsu' (important).
ライトを点検しましょう。
Let's check the lights.
Mashou form for suggestions.
自転車のブレーキを点検しました。
I inspected the bicycle brakes.
Focus on specific parts using の.
点検のために電車が止まっています。
The train is stopped for an inspection.
～のために indicates reason/purpose.
一ヶ月に一度、点検を行います。
We perform an inspection once a month.
を行う (wo okonau) is a formal way to say 'to do'.
機械を点検する時間はありますか？
Is there time to inspect the machine?
Verb dictionary form + noun (time).
安全のために点検は必要です。
Inspection is necessary for safety.
必要 (hitsuyou) means necessary.
古いビルを点検しています。
They are inspecting an old building.
Te-iru form for ongoing action.
点検の結果、問題はありませんでした。
As a result of the inspection, there were no problems.
～の結果 (no kekka) means 'as a result of'.
まず、バッテリーを点検してください。
First, please check the battery.
まず (mazu) means 'firstly'.
定期点検を怠ると、大きな事故につながります。
Neglecting periodic inspections leads to major accidents.
怠る (okotaru) means to neglect.
業者がガス漏れの点検に来る予定です。
A contractor is scheduled to come for a gas leak inspection.
予定 (yotei) means schedule/plan.
異常がないか、入念に点検してください。
Please inspect carefully to see if there are any abnormalities.
入念に (nyuunen ni) means meticulously.
このエレベーターは昨日点検されたばかりです。
This elevator was just inspected yesterday.
～たばかり (ta bakari) means 'just finished doing'.
点検項目を一つずつ確認しましょう。
Let's check the inspection items one by one.
一つずつ (hitotsu zutsu) means one by one.
作業を始める前に、必ず点検を行ってください。
Before starting work, please be sure to perform an inspection.
必ず (kanarazu) means 'without fail'.
点検作業員がヘルメットを被っています。
The inspection worker is wearing a helmet.
作業員 (sagyouin) means worker.
不備が見つかったので、再点検が必要です。
Since a defect was found, a re-inspection is necessary.
再 (sai-) prefix means 're-' or 'again'.
設備の劣化具合を点検し、報告書を提出した。
I inspected the degree of deterioration of the equipment and submitted a report.
劣化 (rekka) means deterioration.
点検の強化により、故障率が大幅に減少した。
Due to the strengthening of inspections, the failure rate decreased significantly.
大幅に (ouhaba ni) means drastically.
このマニュアルに従って、厳格な点検を実施する。
Conduct a strict inspection according to this manual.
実施する (jisshi suru) is a formal word for 'carry out'.
目視点検だけでなく、専用の機器も使用します。
We use specialized equipment, not just visual inspection.
目視 (mokushi) means visual/by eye.
点検の際、異音や振動に注意を払ってください。
During the inspection, please pay attention to strange noises or vibrations.
～の際 (no sai) is a formal version of 'when'.
消防法に基づき、年二回の点検が義務付けられている。
Based on the Fire Service Act, inspections twice a year are mandatory.
義務付けられている means 'is made compulsory'.
点検の記録は、少なくとも五年間は保存すべきだ。
Inspection records should be kept for at least five years.
少なくとも (sukunakutomo) means 'at least'.
保守点検のスケジュールを調整する必要があります。
It is necessary to adjust the maintenance inspection schedule.
調整 (chousei) means adjustment.
インフラの老朽化に伴い、橋梁の点検が急務となっている。
With the aging of infrastructure, bridge inspections have become an urgent task.
急務 (kyuumu) means urgent business/task.
点検の見落としが、取り返しのつかない事態を招いた。
An oversight in the inspection led to an irreversible situation.
見落とし (miotoshi) means oversight/missing something.
多角的な視点から、現行の安全基準を点検する。
Review the current safety standards from multiple perspectives.
多角的 (takakuteki) means multifaceted.
ドローンを活用した高所点検が導入されつつある。
High-altitude inspections using drones are being introduced.
～つつある indicates a process currently in progress.
点検の精度を向上させるため、AI技術を導入した。
In order to improve inspection accuracy, AI technology was introduced.
精度 (seido) means precision/accuracy.
形骸化した点検作業を抜本的に見直す必要がある。
It is necessary to drastically review inspection work that has become a mere formality.
形骸化 (keigaika) means becoming a shell/losing substance.
非破壊検査による点検は、構造物の寿命を延ばす。
Inspections using non-destructive testing extend the life of structures.
非破壊 (hihakai) means non-destructive.
点検の責任体制を明確にすることが、安全管理の基本だ。
Clarifying the responsibility system for inspections is the basis of safety management.
体制 (taisei) means system/structure.
原子力発電所の点検には、極めて高い倫理観が求められる。
Extremely high ethical standards are required for the inspection of nuclear power plants.
倫理観 (rinrikan) means sense of ethics.
点検データの改ざんは、企業の信頼を根底から覆す。
Falsification of inspection data subverts corporate trust from its very foundations.
覆す (kutsugaesu) means to overturn/subvert.
供給網全体にわたる安全点検の網を広げる必要がある。
It is necessary to expand the safety inspection network across the entire supply chain.
供給網 (kyuukyuumou) means supply chain.
点検プロトコルの標準化が、国際的な課題となっている。
Standardization of inspection protocols has become an international issue.
プロトコル (purotokoru) means protocol.
微細な亀裂を見逃さない鋭い洞察力が、点検員には不可欠だ。
Keen insight that does not miss minute cracks is indispensable for inspectors.
洞察力 (dousatsuryoku) means insight/discernment.
社会資本の維持管理における点検の役割は、今後ますます増大する。
The role of inspection in the maintenance and management of social capital will increase further in the future.
社会資本 (shakai shihon) means social capital/infrastructure.
点検の自動化は、人的過誤を排除するための有効な手段である。
Automation of inspection is an effective means to eliminate human error.
人的過誤 (jinteki kago) means human error.
リスクアセスメントに基づいた動的な点検計画を策定する。
Formulate a dynamic inspection plan based on risk assessment.
策定 (sakutei) means formulation/planning.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
Word Family
Related
How to Use It
Common in building notices and car maintenance.
Used in ISO standards and safety manuals.
- 宿題を点検する
- 友達の顔を点検する
- 予約を点検する
- 点検を言う
- 健康点検
Tips
Focus on Hardware
Always use this word when talking about machines, tools, or buildings. It makes you sound technically proficient.
Safety First
In Japan, 'tenken' is a ritual. Don't be annoyed by 'tenken-chuu' signs; they are a sign of high safety standards.
Suru-Verb Power
Remember that 'tenken' becomes an action just by adding 'suru'. It's a very versatile word in professional settings.
Kanji Breakdown
Look for the 'point' (点) and 'examine' (検) kanji. If you see them together, think 'Safety Check'.
Train Announcements
If you hear 'sharyou-tenken' (車両点検) on a train, it means the train cars are being checked. Expect a short delay.
Business Reports
Use 'tenken' in your business emails when discussing equipment maintenance to sound professional.
Pair with 'Teiki'
Memorize 'teiki-tenken' (periodic inspection) as a single unit, as it's used very frequently.
The Inspector Ken
Imagine a guy named Ken who is a professional inspector. He checks every point (Ten). Ten-Ken.
Not for People
Never use 'tenken' for a person's health or a person's work. It's strictly for inanimate systems.
Compound Words
Learn 'shigyou-tenken' (start-of-day check) if you plan to work in a Japanese factory or kitchen.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a worker pointing (点) at a machine and saying 'Ken' (検) as he checks it off his list.
Word Origin
Cultural Context
The strict vehicle inspection system in Japan (車検) is a famous example of mandatory 'tenken'.
The 'pointing and calling' method used during inspections to reduce human error by up to 85%.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"エレベーターが点検中だけど、どうする？ (The elevator is under inspection, what should we do?)"
"車の点検はいつ出しましたか？ (When did you take your car for inspection?)"
"ガス点検の通知が来ましたか？ (Did you get the gas inspection notice?)"
"この機械、点検したほうがいいよ。 (You should inspect this machine.)"
"点検の結果はどうだった？ (How was the result of the inspection?)"
Journal Prompts
今日、点検中のものを見かけましたか？ (Did you see anything under inspection today?)
自分の持ち物で、点検が必要なものはありますか？ (Are there any of your belongings that need an inspection?)
安全点検の重要性についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about the importance of safety inspections?)
日本の点検文化について驚いたことはありますか？ (Is there anything that surprised you about Japan's inspection culture?)
もしあなたが点検員なら、何を一番にチェックしますか？ (If you were an inspector, what would you check first?)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 'tenken' is for machinery and safety. Use 'check' or 'mite-kudasai' for homework.
It means 'periodic inspection', like a scheduled check-up for a car or elevator.
Yes, it is a formal/technical term. In casual speech, people might use 'check'.
It means 'currently under inspection' or 'out of service for maintenance'.
Usually a professional technician or inspector, but you can also do a 'self-inspection' (jishu-tenken).
Rarely. Medical checks are usually called 'kensa' or 'shinsatsu'.
Tenken is the 'checking' part, while 'seibi' is the 'servicing/maintenance' part.
No, that would sound like you are treating them like a machine. Use 'kensa' for health.
Both are correct. 'Tenken wo suru' is slightly more emphatic on the noun.
In Japan, it is typically required by law once every four years.
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Summary
点検 (Tenken) is the professional standard for 'checking' in Japan, focusing on safety and technical integrity. Use it for machines and systems, not for casual verification of facts or personal items.
- Professional inspection for safety and maintenance.
- Used for machines, cars, elevators, and infrastructure.
- Implies a point-by-point systematic check.
- Essential for preventing accidents and ensuring functionality.
Focus on Hardware
Always use this word when talking about machines, tools, or buildings. It makes you sound technically proficient.
Safety First
In Japan, 'tenken' is a ritual. Don't be annoyed by 'tenken-chuu' signs; they are a sign of high safety standards.
Suru-Verb Power
Remember that 'tenken' becomes an action just by adding 'suru'. It's a very versatile word in professional settings.
Kanji Breakdown
Look for the 'point' (点) and 'examine' (検) kanji. If you see them together, think 'Safety Check'.
Example
車を点検します。
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