investigate

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 究 has 7 strokes and conveys investigating something deeply and bringing it to light.
• Basic usage: 研究 is read けんきゅう, and 究明 is read きゅうめい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Research and determining a cause
  • 海の生物を研究している means researching marine life.
  • 原因を究明した means determining the cause.
  • 研究 focuses on research to gain knowledge, while 究明 focuses on uncovering a cause or solving a mystery.