108
究
Investigate, Study Thoroughly
きわ(める) (kiwameru)
JLPT N4
Interesting Fact
In ancient times, caves were mysterious places where people searched for minerals, ancient artifacts, and hidden water sources. In ancient China, the original meaning of 究 was to go all the way to the deepest part of a cave, leaving no corner unexplored. Over time, this idea changed from exploring caves to exploring knowledge. Today, when Japanese people say 研究 (けんきゅう), they're literally talking about investigating something as thoroughly as someone searching every inch of a cave.
Memory Trick
One Liner: “Exert your power(力) under a roof to Investigate thoroughly.”
Readings
Onyomi: キュウ (kyuu)
Kunyomi: きわ(める) (kiwameru)
Example Words
研究
けんきゅう (kenkyuu)
Research
究極
きゅうきょく (kyuukyoku)
Ultimate
探究
たんきゅう (tankyuu)
Inquiry
究明
きゅうめい (kyuumei)
Investigation
Example Sentence
彼女は 歴史を 深く 研究しています。
かのじょは れきしを ふかく けんきゅうしています。
kanojo wa rekishi o fukaku kenkyuu shiteimasu
She is deeply researching history.