Japanese word

探偵

Pronunciation

Romajitantei

Meaning

  • noundetective

Example

私は探偵になりたいです。watashi wa tan tei ni na ri ta i de su

I want to become a detective.

Illustration for 探偵 (detective)

More examples

事件の調査を探偵に頼みました。ji ken no chō sa o tan tei ni tano mi ma shi ta

I asked a detective to investigate the case.

Core concept

Refers to someone who follows clues and examines information to uncover the truth.

Common phrases

  • 探偵になるtan tei ni na ru

    become a detective

  • 探偵を雇うtan tei o yato u

    hire a detective

  • 探偵を探すtan tei o saga su

    look for a detective

Similar words

刑事keiji: A police officer who investigates crimes as part of official police work.
私立探偵shiritsutantei: A detective who investigates cases independently for paying clients.
捜査官sōsakan: An official investigator who examines suspected crimes for a law enforcement agency.

Definition in Japanese

手掛かりを集めて調査し、事件や事実の真相を突き止める人。te ga ka ri o atsu me te chō sa shi ji ken ya ji jitsu no shin sō o tsu ki to me ru hito

Word origin

探 (tan, "search") and 偵 (tei, "spy" or "inquire") are Sino-Japanese elements whose combination describes a person who investigates a case.

Usage tips

  • In English, detective can mean either a police officer who investigates crimes or a private investigator who works independently.

Other meanings

  • investigatornoun

Word lists with this word