素性を探る (sujō o saguru - to investigate someone's background)
Grammar & Usage
How it works
Consists of the noun '素性' (sujō - identity, background, lineage), the direct object particle 'を' (o), and the transitive verb '探る' (saguru - to search, probe, investigate). The phrase behaves as a standard verb phrase and can be conjugated based on the godan verb 探る (e.g., 素性を探ろう, 素性を探っている).
Sample sentences
私立探偵を雇って、彼の素性を探ることにした。
I decided to hire a private investigator to look into his background.
警察は怪しい男の素性を探るため、近隣住民への聞き込みを行った。
The police questioned local residents to investigate the identity of the suspicious man.
誰もが彼女の謎めいた素性を探ろうとしたが、手がかりは得られなかった。
Everyone tried to probe into her mysterious background, but found no clues.
Quick facts
Mnemonic
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Example
私立探偵を雇って、彼の素性を探ることにした。
I decided to hire a private investigator to look into his background.
警察は怪しい男の素性を探るため、近隣住民への聞き込みを行った。
The police questioned local residents to investigate the identity of the suspicious man.
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