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発見
hakken
discovery
新しいウイルスを発見した。
We discovered a new virus.
formal
The act of finding or uncovering something previously unknown or unrecognized.
科学者たちは新しい種を発見した。
Scientists made a discovery of a new species.
彼女は古代の遺跡を発見した。
She discovered an ancient ruin.
Often used in academic, scientific, or formal contexts. Can also be used as a suru-verb: 発見する (to discover).
Pro Tip
Distinguish from 発明 (invention)
発見 emphasizes uncovering something that already exists (e.g., a new planet), while 発明 refers to creating something new (e.g., a machine).
Gold Rule
Use 発見 for natural/uncovered findings
Apply 発見 when the discovery is passive (e.g., 'a fossil was discovered') rather than actively invented.
Word Origin
From the verb 発く (あらわす, 'to reveal') + 見る (みる, 'to see'), forming a compound verb meaning 'to reveal by seeing' or 'to uncover.' The noun form emerged in classical Japanese to denote the result of such an action.
Usage Notes
While 発見 primarily refers to the act or result of discovering something tangible (e.g., a species, artifact), it can metaphorically extend to abstract discoveries (e.g., a new theory). The suru-verb form 発見する is more common in everyday speech.
Word Breakdown
発
reveal/emerge
prefix見
see
root和英辞典