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.
“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.
attempt / experiment
'der Versuch' and 'die Untersuchung' can both occur in research and medicine when you want to find something out more precisely. 'Versuch' fits when you try out or test something under certain conditions in order to see a result. 'Untersuchung' is broader: you examine, analyze, or clarify something in detail, for example by the police, in science, or at the doctor’s office. The words can be confused because both have to do with knowledge and checking. 'Versuch' is more natural when an action is being tested; 'Untersuchung' fits better when something is being examined closely or the cause is being sought.
Nach dem Unfall beginnt die Polizei eine Untersuchung.
After the accident, the police begin an investigation.
Im Chemieunterricht zeigt die Lehrerin einen Versuch mit Wasser und Salz.
In chemistry class, the teacher demonstrates an experiment with water and salt.