investigation / examination
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investigation
An official or scientific investigation to clarify facts, find causes, or gain knowledge. This can be done by the police, a court, or in research.
Die Untersuchung des Flugzeugabsturzes wird mehrere Monate dauern.
The investigation into the plane crash will take several months.
examination
A medical examination of the body by a doctor to determine someone’s state of health or diagnose an illness.
Ich habe nächste Woche einen Termin zur jährlichen Untersuchung.
I have an appointment for my annual checkup next week.
examination / analysis
The precise and detailed analysis or examination of an object, text, or matter.
Die Untersuchung des alten Dokuments ergab, dass es eine Fälschung war.
The examination of the old document showed that it was a forgery.
“Untersuchung” (investigation/examination) is the nominalization of the verb “untersuchen” (to examine/investigate). The ending “-ung” turns the verb into a feminine noun. The verb “untersuchen” (unter-suchen) literally means to look at something closely in order to find something “underneath” or “inside” it.
Der Arzt muss die Ursache der Schmerzen untersuchen.
The doctor has to examine the cause of the pain.
The context makes clear which kind of “Untersuchung” (investigation/examination) is meant. Words like “Polizei” (police) or “Gericht” (court) point to an investigation. Terms like “Arzt” (doctor) or “Patient” (patient) indicate a medical examination.
Die polizeiliche Untersuchung des Einbruchs hat begonnen.
The police investigation into the break-in has begun.
In the context of investigations, “Untersuchung” (investigation) is often combined with verbs like “einleiten” (to initiate), “durchführen” (to carry out), or “abschließen” (to conclude). People also speak of the “Gegenstand der Untersuchung” (subject of the investigation).
Die Staatsanwaltschaft hat eine Untersuchung eingeleitet.
The public prosecutor’s office has initiated an investigation.
In the medical field, people speak of an “ärztliche Untersuchung” (medical examination) or a “Vorsorgeuntersuchung” (preventive checkup). People go “zur Untersuchung” (for an examination) or have to “sich einer Untersuchung unterziehen” (undergo an examination).
Er muss sich morgen einer gründlichen Untersuchung unterziehen.
He has to undergo a thorough examination tomorrow.
study / degree program
Studium and Untersuchung can both describe a careful engagement with a subject. Studium emphasizes intensive, often long-term examination. An Untersuchung, by contrast, systematically examines a specific question in order to clarify facts or gain knowledge.
Für sein Buch klärt Leo in einer gezielten Untersuchung, wann das alte Manuskript entstand.
For his book, Leo uses a targeted investigation to determine when the old manuscript was written.
Für sein Buch widmet sich Leo über mehrere Jahre dem Studium eines alten Manuskripts.
Leo spends several years studying an old manuscript for his book.
