Japanese word

下調べ

Pronunciation

Romajishitashirabe

Meaning

  • nounpreliminary research

Example

旅行の前に下調べをします。ryo kō no mae ni shita shira be o shi ma su

I do preliminary research before a trip.

Illustration for 下調べ (preliminary research)

More examples

新しい仕事を始める前に、業界の下調べをしました。atara shi i shi goto o haji me ru mae ni gyō kai no shita shira be o shi ma shi ta

I did preliminary research on the industry before starting my new job.

Core concept

Describes gathering useful information in advance so that a planned activity can proceed with fewer surprises.

Common phrases

  • 下調べをするshita shira be o su ru

    do preliminary research

  • 下調べをしておくshita shira be o shi te o ku

    do preliminary research in advance

  • 下調べに時間をかけるshita shira be ni ji kan o ka ke ru

    spend time on preliminary research

Similar words

予備調査yobichōsa: An initial investigation conducted to prepare for a later, more detailed study or activity.
事前調査jizenchōsa: An investigation carried out before an event, decision, or activity to guide preparation.

Definition in Japanese

物事に取りかかる前に、関連する情報をあらかじめ調べること。mono goto ni to ri ka ka ru mae ni kan ren su ru jō hō o a ra ka ji me shira be ru ko to

Word origin

下調べ (shitashirabe) is formed from 下 (shita, "beforehand") and 調べ (shirabe, "investigation"), giving the sense of preliminary investigation.

Usage tips

  • 下調べ (shitashirabe) is used for practical preparation, while research for a formal study is more often described with terms such as 予備調査 (yobichōsa).

Other meanings

  • preliminary investigationnoun

Word lists with this word