Undersök

Undersök is the imperative form of the Swedish verb undersöka, meaning to examine, investigate, or study. It is used to instruct someone to perform an examination or inquiry. In medical, investigative, academic, and journalistic contexts, undersök can introduce a direct action, as in “Undersök patienten noggrant” or “Undersök källorna noggrant.” The infinitive is undersöka; present tense undersöker; past tense undersökte; supine undersökt. The imperative undersök is typically used to address a single person, though it can be understood as applicable to a group in some contexts.

The noun form most commonly used is undersökning, meaning an examination, investigation, survey, or inspection. The terms undersökning, undersökande (present participle), and undersökt (past participle) appear across medical, scientific, and investigative language.

Etymology and usage notes: undersöka is formed with the prefix under- attached to söka (to seek), conveying a sense of thorough looking into something. The word appears in Swedish from early modern periods and remains central in contexts where careful inquiry is required. Related terms include granska (to scrutinize or review) and utredning (an investigation or inquiry). In practice, undersök is a directive verb used to prompt careful examination, while undersökning refers to the result or process of that examination.