You apply for a credit card in Japan and get a message saying 審査中（しんさちゅう）. Your doctor sends back a report with 検査結果（けんさけっか）. A business email asks you to do ご確認ください（ごかくにんください）. A news report says the cause is 調査中（ちょうさちゅう）. All four involve checking something — but they are not interchangeable.
Japanese has four distinct words where English often uses just “check,” “review,” or “investigation”: 審査（しんさ）, 確認（かくにん）, 検査（けんさ）, and 調査（ちょうさ）. Each one points to a different kind of process, a different purpose, and a very different outcome. Using the wrong one in a business email or application form can confuse — or even alarm — the reader.
This guide breaks each word down clearly: what it means, where it appears, what the status phrases look like, and how to choose the right one. Real example sentences are included throughout.
| Word | Reading | Core Meaning | Key Feature | Typical Contexts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 審査 | しんさ | Screening / review against criteria | Has a pass/fail outcome | Credit cards, loans, job applications, content moderation |
| 確認 | かくにん | Check / confirm details | General and lightweight — no formal outcome | Business email, reservations, payment, order details |
| 検査 | けんさ | Inspection / test | Physical or technical examination | Product quality, health tests, immigration, safety |
| 調査 | ちょうさ | Investigation / research | Fact-finding — causes, data, or truth | Accident investigation, market research, system audits |
Quick Answer: 審査 vs 確認 vs 検査 vs 調査
審査 — Screening or Review Against Criteria
審査（しんさ）is the word for a formal screening or evaluation process where something — a person, an application, a piece of content — is measured against a set of criteria and given a pass or fail result. The key feature is that there is a judgment at the end. You either pass 審査 or you do not. This is why it appears so often in credit card applications, rental contracts, loan reviews, membership approvals, and content submission systems.
確認 — Check or Confirm Details
確認（かくにん）is the most general of the four. It simply means to check that something is correct, to confirm a detail, or to make sure something is in order. There is no formal outcome — no pass or fail. It is the word you see in business emails (“ご確認ください”), on reservation screens (“予約内容をご確認ください”), and in casual conversation (“ちょっと確認してもいい？”). Because of its broad meaning, it is also the most commonly misused — learners sometimes use it where 審査 or 調査 is needed.
検査 — Inspection or Test
検査（けんさ）refers to a systematic physical or technical examination — testing whether something meets a standard. This could be a product on a factory line, your body at a medical clinic, a car at an inspection station, or luggage at immigration. The examination is hands-on or measurement-based. 検査結果（けんさけっか）means “test results,” and you will see this phrase constantly in medical and quality-control contexts.
調査 — Investigation or Research
調査（ちょうさ）is about finding facts, causes, or data. It is the word for investigations (police, accident, corporate), surveys and market research, audits, and any systematic fact-finding exercise. The goal is to discover something that is not yet fully known. 調査中（ちょうさちゅう）means “currently under investigation” and appears in news reports, support tickets, and official announcements.
How English “check / review / inspect / investigate” Map to These Four Words
The challenge for English speakers is that “check” in English can translate to any of the four Japanese words depending on context. Here is a rough mapping:
| English Phrase | Most Likely Japanese Word |
|---|---|
| “Your application is under review” | 審査中 |
| “Please check the details” | ご確認ください |
| “The product passed inspection” | 検査に合格した |
| “The cause is under investigation” | 原因を調査中 |
| “Check your email” (casual) | メールを確認して |
| “The doctor ordered tests” | 検査を指示した |
| “We are reviewing your account” | アカウントを審査/調査しています (context-dependent) |
What Does 審査 Mean?
審査 as Criteria-Based Screening
審査（しんさ）comes from the kanji 審（examine carefully）and 査（inspect/check）. Together they describe a deliberate, criteria-driven process. Someone — a bank, a committee, a platform — looks at your information and decides whether you qualify. This pass/fail quality is what separates 審査 from the other three words.
Think of 審査 as the Japanese equivalent of a formal vetting process: credit screening, editorial review for submitted work, entrance auditions, and approval queues in apps and marketplaces.
審査中 — Under Review
審査中（しんさちゅう）is one of the most important status phrases you will see in Japan. It means “currently under review” or “application is being screened.” You will encounter this when:
- Applying for a credit card or bank loan
- Registering as a seller on an e-commerce platform
- Submitting content to an app store or marketplace
- Applying for membership at a gym, club, or service
The status typically changes to 審査通過（しんさつうか）= passed the review, or 審査否決（しんさひけつ）= rejected.
クレジットカード審査 — Credit Card Review
The phrase クレジットカード審査（クレジットカードしんさ）is extremely common in everyday Japanese life. When you apply for a credit card, the card company reviews your income, employment history, and credit record. This process is 審査. If the 審査 passes, your card is issued. If not, you receive a rejection notice.
Example:
クレジットカードの審査に通過しました。
I passed the credit card screening.
Example:
審査の結果、ご利用いただけない場合がございます。
Depending on the screening result, you may not be able to use this service.
入会審査 and ローン審査
入会審査（にゅうかいしんさ）= membership screening. Many Japanese clubs, gyms, apartment buildings, and professional organizations require this before accepting new members.
ローン審査（ローンしんさ）= loan screening. Banks and finance companies run this before approving any loan.
Example:
マンションの入居には審査が必要です。
You need to pass a screening to move into the apartment.
再審査 — Re-Review
再審査（さいしんさ）means a second screening — a re-review of a rejected application. You may request 再審査 if you believe the first decision was incorrect or if your circumstances have changed.
Example:
審査に落ちた場合、再審査を申請できます。
If you fail the screening, you can apply for a re-review.
Business and Application Examples
Example (app store submission):
アプリの審査には通常3〜5営業日かかります。
App review usually takes 3 to 5 business days.
Example (job application):
書類審査の結果は一週間以内にご連絡いたします。
We will notify you of the document screening result within one week.
YukaSo 審査 always has a pass-or-fail result at the end — like being judged against a checklist. That is what makes it different from just “checking” something.
ReiExactly. If someone says 審査中, it means a decision is coming — you are waiting to find out whether you qualify.
What Does 確認 Mean?
確認 as General Checking and Confirming
確認（かくにん）is built from 確（certain/firm）and 認（recognize/confirm）. The core idea is making sure something is correct or acknowledged. It is lighter than the other three words — there is no formal evaluation, no physical testing, and no investigation. You simply verify that a detail, fact, or instruction is understood or accurate.
Because of its broad meaning, 確認 is by far the most frequently used of the four words in everyday Japanese — especially in business communication.
内容を確認する — Checking the Contents
The phrase 内容を確認する（ないようをかくにんする）means “to check the contents” — whether that is an order form, a contract, an email, or a set of instructions. This is the standard phrase for asking someone to read over something carefully.
Example:
送信前に内容をご確認ください。
Please check the contents before submitting.
予約を確認する — Confirming a Reservation
予約を確認する（よやくをかくにんする）means “to confirm a reservation.” Hotels, restaurants, airlines, and clinics all use this phrase. You may also see 予約確認メール（よやくかくにんメール）= “reservation confirmation email.”
Example:
ご予約の確認メールをお送りしました。
We have sent you a reservation confirmation email.
ご確認ください in Business Email
ご確認ください（ごかくにんください）is one of the most common phrases in Japanese business email. It politely asks the recipient to review an attached document, check a piece of information, or acknowledge something. It is used so frequently that learners should treat it as a fixed phrase.
Example:
添付の資料をご確認いただけますでしょうか。
Could you please check the attached document?
Example:
ご確認のうえ、ご返信ください。
Please review this and reply.
確認中 — Being Confirmed
確認中（かくにんちゅう）means “currently checking” or “in the process of confirming.” You will see this on support chats, order status pages, and in responses to inquiries. It signals that someone is looking into it but there is no formal judgment involved — just verification.
Example:
ただいま在庫を確認中です。少々お待ちください。
We are currently checking stock levels. Please wait a moment.
Common Example Sentences
Example (casual):
ちょっとスケジュールを確認してもいい？
Can I quickly check the schedule?
Example (payment confirmation):
お支払いを確認いたしました。
We have confirmed your payment.
Example (identity check):
本人確認のため、身分証をご提示ください。
Please show your ID for identity verification.
What Does 検査 Mean?
検査 as Inspection or Test
検査（けんさ）comes from 検（investigate/examine）and 査（inspect）. But unlike 調査, which is about finding hidden facts, 検査 is about measuring something against a known standard — and recording whether it passes or fails that standard. The examination is usually physical, technical, or medical. There is a result: pass/fail, normal/abnormal, or a set of measured values.
品質検査 — Quality Inspection
品質検査（ひんしつけんさ）is the quality inspection that products undergo before shipping. Every product on a Japanese factory line — from electronics to food — goes through some form of 検査. The inspector looks for defects, measures dimensions, or tests performance against specifications.
Example:
この製品は出荷前に品質検査を受けています。
This product undergoes quality inspection before shipping.
健康診断・検査 — Health Check
In medical contexts, 検査 refers to any clinical test or examination: blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, vision tests, and so on. The general health checkup is called 健康診断（けんこうしんだん）, but the individual tests within it are each a 検査.
Note: 診断（しんだん）= diagnosis, while 検査（けんさ）= the specific test. You do a 検査 to reach a 診断.
Example:
血液検査の結果が出ました。
The blood test results have come out.
Example:
来週、視力検査があります。
I have a vision test next week.
検査結果 — Test Results
検査結果（けんさけっか）means “test results” and is one of the most important compound words you will see in a Japanese medical or quality-control setting. Your doctor will give you your 検査結果 after a health checkup. A factory will record 検査結果 for each product batch.
Example:
検査結果に問題はありませんでした。
There were no problems with the test results.
Immigration and Customs 検査
At Japanese airports and ports, the baggage and document checks carried out by customs and immigration officers are also called 検査. You will see signs saying 税関検査（ぜいかんけんさ）= customs inspection, and 入国審査（にゅうこくしんさ）= immigration screening (note: that one uses 審査 because it is a criteria-based entry decision).
Example:
荷物が税関検査にかかりました。
My luggage was stopped for customs inspection.
Common Example Sentences
Example (vehicle inspection):
車検は2年ごとに必要です。
Vehicle inspection is required every two years. (車検 is the common abbreviation of 自動車検査)
Example (safety inspection):
エレベーターの安全検査が行われました。
A safety inspection of the elevator was carried out.
What Does 調査 Mean?
調査 as Investigation or Research
調査（ちょうさ）is built from 調（to examine/tune）and 査（inspect）. The purpose of 調査 is to uncover facts, causes, patterns, or data that are not yet fully known. This is the word for detective-style investigation, academic or market research, corporate audits, and government inquiries. The process often involves gathering information from multiple sources and drawing conclusions.
Unlike 検査, which tests a known object against known criteria, 調査 is open-ended — you don’t always know what you will find.
原因を調査する — Investigating the Cause
When something goes wrong — a system failure, an accident, a customer complaint — the first step is 原因を調査する（げんいんをちょうさする）: to investigate the cause. This phrase appears in technical reports, news articles, and official statements.
Example:
現在、システム障害の原因を調査しています。
We are currently investigating the cause of the system failure.
市場調査 — Market Research
市場調査（しじょうちょうさ）is “market research” — gathering data on consumer behavior, competitors, or market trends to inform business decisions. This is standard vocabulary in business Japanese and appears in reports, proposals, and presentations.
Example:
新商品の発売前に市場調査を実施しました。
We conducted market research before launching the new product.
事故調査 — Accident Investigation
事故調査（じこちょうさ）= accident investigation. After a traffic accident, workplace incident, or industrial accident, an 事故調査 is launched to determine what happened and who was responsible. Government agencies and corporate safety teams use this term regularly.
Example:
事故調査委員会が設置されました。
An accident investigation committee has been established.
調査中 — Under Investigation
調査中（ちょうさちゅう）= currently under investigation. This is the status phrase you see in news reports, support responses, and official statements when the facts are not yet confirmed. It is the most serious-sounding of the four “～中” status phrases and implies that facts are actively being gathered.
Example:
原因については現在調査中です。
The cause is currently under investigation.
Common Example Sentences
Example (survey):
アンケート調査にご協力ください。
Please cooperate with our survey.
Example (police/legal):
警察が現場を調査しています。
The police are investigating the scene.
Example (corporate audit):
内部調査の結果を経営陣に報告しました。
We reported the results of the internal investigation to management.
YukaI used to confuse 調査 and 検査. Both feel like “investigate” in English. What is the real difference?
ReiThink of it this way: 検査 tests a specific object against a known standard — does this product pass or fail? 調査 is open-ended fact-finding — why did this happen? What is going on? If you do not know what you are looking for yet, it is 調査.
審査 vs 確認
Screening Against Criteria vs Checking Details
The most common mix-up for learners is using 確認 when 審査 is needed (or vice versa). The key distinction: 審査 involves a formal judgment against eligibility criteria; 確認 is simply verifying that information is correct or understood.
| 審査 | 確認 | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Judge eligibility against criteria | Verify details / acknowledge |
| Outcome | Pass / fail | Confirmed / not confirmed — no formal judgment |
| Register | Formal | Casual to formal (very flexible) |
| Who performs it | Bank, committee, platform, employer | Anyone — you, a colleague, a customer |
| Typical setting | Applications, submissions, memberships | Business email, reservations, order details |
申請審査 vs 内容確認
申請審査（しんせいしんさ）= application screening — the formal review of whether your application meets the requirements.
内容確認（ないようかくにん）= content check — simply reviewing that the information submitted is correct before it goes into the screening process.
In a typical Japanese application flow, you first do 内容確認 (check your own details before submitting), then the organization does 申請審査 (formal review of your eligibility).
The Pass/Fail Nuance of 審査
One reason 審査 sounds more serious is that it implies a possible rejection. If you tell someone 審査があります（しんさがあります）, they understand that they might not qualify. If you say 確認があります（かくにんがあります）, it sounds like a routine check — not a test of eligibility.
This matters in practice: a landlord saying 審査 means they will decide whether to rent to you. Saying 確認 instead would sound strange, as if they just need to verify your name — not judge your creditworthiness.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 確認 for a formal eligibility review.
❌ ローンの確認が必要です。(sounds like a routine check, not a proper screening)
✅ ローンの審査が必要です。(correct — it is a formal judgment of eligibility)
Mistake: Using 審査 when simply asking someone to check an email.
❌ このメールを審査してください。(inappropriate — implies formal vetting)
✅ このメールをご確認ください。(correct — a simple check request)
検査 vs 調査
Physical/Technical Testing vs Fact-Finding
Both 検査 and 調査 involve systematic examination, which is why English speakers sometimes confuse them. But their purposes are fundamentally different:
| 検査 | 調査 | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Test against a known standard | Find unknown facts, causes, or data |
| Object | A specific thing (product, body, vehicle) | A situation, cause, market, or event |
| Method | Physical examination / measurement / testing | Interviews, data analysis, on-site visits, records review |
| Outcome | Pass/fail, normal/abnormal, measured value | Findings, report, conclusion |
| Typical settings | Factory, hospital, customs, vehicle inspection | Police, market research, corporate audit, journalism |
製品検査 vs 原因調査
製品検査（せいひんけんさ）= product inspection — you test a physical product against quality specifications.
原因調査（げんいんちょうさ）= cause investigation — you investigate why a problem occurred.
If a batch of products fails quality control, you do 製品検査 to identify which units are defective. You then launch an 原因調査 to find out why the defects occurred. Both words appear, but they describe different stages of the process.
Accident and System Examples
Example (system failure — 調査):
サーバーダウンの原因を調査しています。
We are investigating the cause of the server outage.
Example (system check — 検査):
定期メンテナンスのためシステム検査を実施します。
We will conduct a system inspection for scheduled maintenance.
Medical vs Investigative Context
In medical settings, it is almost always 検査 — because the doctor is running tests on a specific patient against known medical benchmarks. You would not use 調査 to mean “the doctor ran tests.” However, if a public health agency is investigating an outbreak to find its source, that is 調査 — because the goal is fact-finding and tracing, not testing an individual against a standard.
検査 (medical test):
血液検査の結果が正常でした。
The blood test results were normal.
調査 (outbreak investigation):
感染経路を保健所が調査しています。
The public health center is investigating the route of infection.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 調査 for a physical medical test.
❌ 血液調査をしました。(not standard — sounds like you surveyed blood data, not ran a test)
✅ 血液検査をしました。(correct)
Mistake: Using 検査 for an open-ended investigation.
❌ 事故の原因を検査しています。(sounds like you are running a technical test on the cause — odd)
✅ 事故の原因を調査しています。(correct — you are investigating the cause)
Status Words You Must Know
審査中 vs 確認中 vs 検査中 vs 調査中
| Status Phrase | Reading | Meaning | Where You See It |
|---|---|---|---|
| 審査中 | しんさちゅう | Under review / screening in progress | Credit card / loan / app submission status screens |
| 確認中 | かくにんちゅう | Currently checking / confirming | Customer support chat, order/stock status pages |
| 検査中 | けんさちゅう | Inspection / testing in progress | Factory QC, hospital, vehicle inspection stations |
| 調査中 | ちょうさちゅう | Under investigation / research in progress | News reports, official statements, system incident pages |
審査通過 and 審査否決
When an 審査 concludes, you get one of two results:
審査通過（しんさつうか）= passed the review — you are approved.
審査否決（しんさひけつ）= rejected / declined — you did not qualify.
In credit card contexts you may also see 審査に通る（しんさにとおる）= to pass the screening, and 審査に落ちる（しんさにおちる）= to fail the screening.
検査合格 and 検査不合格
For 検査, the outcomes are:
検査合格（けんさごうかく）= passed inspection.
検査不合格（けんさふごうかく）= failed inspection.
You will also see 検査済み（けんさずみ）= inspected (already done), which appears as a stamp or label on products and documents that have cleared inspection.
Reading Application Status Screens
When you apply for a Japanese service online, you will often see a status progression screen. Here is how the vocabulary appears in practice:
| Status Display | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 申込受付中（もうしこみうけつけちゅう） | Application received / being processed |
| 内容確認中（ないようかくにんちゅう） | Details are being checked |
| 審査中（しんさちゅう） | Eligibility screening in progress |
| 審査通過（しんさつうか） | Screening passed — approved |
| 審査否決（しんさひけつ） | Screening failed — not approved |
Decision Rule: Which Word Should You Use?
Is Something Judged Against Eligibility Criteria? → 審査
If the process involves measuring a person or application against specific qualifications — and produces a pass or fail — use 審査. Loan reviews, credit checks, membership approvals, app store submissions, and job application screenings all fall here.
Are You Confirming or Double-Checking Details? → 確認
If you are simply verifying that information is correct, acknowledged, or understood — with no formal outcome — use 確認. Business email, reservation confirmations, identity checks, and casual “just making sure” moments all fit here.
Is Something Physically or Technically Tested? → 検査
If the process examines a physical object or system and measures it against known criteria or norms, use 検査. Product quality tests, medical tests, vehicle inspections, and customs examinations all fit here.
Are You Finding Facts, Causes, or Data? → 調査
If the goal is to uncover unknown information — causes, patterns, trends, or the truth behind an event — use 調査. Accident investigations, market research, police inquiries, journalistic reporting, and system post-mortems all belong here.
Quick Flowchart
You want to describe a "checking" or "reviewing" process.
│
├── Is there a formal pass/fail judgment based on criteria?
│ └── YES → 審査（しんさ）
│ (credit card review, loan screening, app submission, membership approval)
│
├── Are you simply verifying information or asking someone to check details?
│ └── YES → 確認（かくにん）
│ (business email, reservations, order details, identity checks)
│
├── Is a physical object or body being tested against a standard?
│ └── YES → 検査（けんさ）
│ (product QC, medical tests, vehicle inspection, customs check)
│
└── Are you investigating an unknown cause, gathering data, or researching?
└── YES → 調査（ちょうさ）
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Quick Quiz
Test what you have learned. Choose the correct word for each blank: 審査・確認・検査・調査.
1. クレジットカードの＿＿＿に通りました。
I passed the credit card screening.
2. 添付の書類をご＿＿＿ください。
Please check the attached document.
3. 血液＿＿＿の結果が出ました。
The blood test results have come out.
4. 警察が事故の原因を＿＿＿しています。
The police are investigating the cause of the accident.
5. 製品は出荷前に品質＿＿＿を受けます。
Products undergo quality inspection before shipping.
6. 申込内容を＿＿＿してから送信してください。
Please check your application details before submitting.
Answers:
1. 審査（しんさ）— formal criteria-based screening with a pass/fail outcome
2. 確認（かくにん）— standard business email phrasing for checking a document
3. 検査（けんさ）— medical test
4. 調査（ちょうさ）— fact-finding investigation into an unknown cause
5. 検査（けんさ）— physical product inspection against quality standards
6. 確認（かくにん）— verifying your own details before submission
Which of these four words have you seen in Japanese recently? Leave a comment below — whether it was on a status screen, in an email, or at the hospital, sharing real examples helps everyone learn faster.
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