Translation guide
How to say 'look!' in Japanese, depending on what you want the listener to look at and the situation.
You want someone to look at something you can both see, like an object, a scene, or a screen.
The most common and natural way to say 'look!' in casual situations. It's the te-form of 見る (to see/look).
見て、あそこに猫がいる。
Look, there's a cat over there.
見て、この写真。
Look at this photo.
Polite version of 見て. Use with strangers, superiors, or in formal settings.
見てください、ここに書いてあります。
Please look, it's written here.
An interjection meaning 'look!' or 'see?', often used when pointing something out or handing something over. Very common in casual speech.
ほら、あれ。
Look, that (thing).
ほら、言った通りでしょ。
See? I told you so.
Polite/humble 'look', often used when offering something to a customer or superior. Can be used alone or as ご覧ください.
ご覧ください、こちらが新製品です。
Please take a look, this is our new product.
Strong, blunt imperative form of 見る. Used by men in rough or commanding speech. Can sound aggressive.
見ろ、あの雲。
Look at that cloud!
You are handing something to someone or showing them something you have, like a document or an item.
Works for showing things as well. Very versatile.
これ見て、昨日買ったんだ。
Look at this, I bought it yesterday.
Adding ちょっと makes it 'take a quick look' or 'look at this for a sec'. Softens the request.
ちょっと見て、このデザインどう思う？
Take a look, what do you think of this design?
Means 'show me' (literally 'let me see'). Used when you want someone to show you something, but can also be used when you are showing something and want them to look.
When you are the one showing, 見て is more direct. 見せて can imply 'let me show you' but is more commonly 'show me'.
それ見せて。
Show me that.
You want to get someone's attention before you say something important, not necessarily to look at a physical object.
A filler used to get attention, similar to 'hey, look...' or 'listen...' in casual conversation. Often used by women and children, but men use it too.
あのね、今日ね、すごいことがあったんだ。
Look, today something amazing happened.
Literally 'Is it okay?', but used like 'Listen' or 'Look' to check if the listener is paying attention before you say something.
いい？これから大事な話をするからね。
Listen, I'm going to tell you something important.
Used to get someone's attention, like 'hey' or 'look here'. Can be used alone or with 聞いて (listen).
You are surprised or excited by something you see and want to share that feeling.
Repeating 見て adds excitement, like 'Look, look!'.
見て見て！虹が出てる！
Look, look! There's a rainbow!
Adding わあ (wow) before 見て emphasizes surprise.
わあ、見て！すごい景色！
Wow, look! What an amazing view!
English 'look' can mean 'appear' (e.g., 'You look tired'). In Japanese, that's a different expression: 〜そう, 〜みたい, or 〜ように見える. Do not use 見て for this meaning.
疲れてそうだね。
You look tired.
見て means 'look (at this)'. 見せて means 'show me (that)' or 'let me see'. If you are holding something and want someone to look, use 見て. If you want someone to show you something they have, use 見せて.
ちょっと、聞いてよ。
Hey, listen.