Translation guide
The English phrase "look at" is used to direct someone's visual attention to something, to examine or consider something, or to view something in a particular way. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 見る (miru), but the appropriate word or phrase depends on the context, formality, and nuance.
To ask or tell someone to turn their eyes toward something.
The most basic and common verb for 'look at' or 'see'. Used in casual and polite contexts.
Look at that cat.
この写真を見てください。
Please look at this photo.
Casual imperative form of 見る. Used among friends or in informal situations.
見て、虹が出てる！
Look, there's a rainbow!
Polite expression meaning 'please look'. Often used in formal settings or customer service.
こちらをご覧ください。
Please look at this.
To inspect, examine, or consider something carefully.
Means 'to look into' or 'to investigate'. Used when you want to examine something in detail.
その問題を調べてみます。
I'll look into that problem.
辞書で単語を調べた。
I looked up the word in the dictionary.
Literally 'try looking'. Implies taking a look to see what something is like or to check something.
ちょっと見てみるね。
I'll take a look.
Means 'to confirm' or 'to check'. More formal than 調べる.
スケジュールを確認してください。
Please check the schedule.
To consider or think of something in a particular manner.
Means 'to regard as' or 'to consider as'. Used in formal or written contexts.
彼は専門家と見なされている。
He is looked at as an expert.
Literally 'see as'. Used to express viewing something from a certain perspective.
これをチャンスとして見ている。
I look at this as an opportunity.
To describe the direction something faces or the view it offers.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to face' a direction. Used for buildings, rooms, etc.
この部屋は南を向いている。
This room looks south.
Means 'to face' or 'to front onto' a street, sea, etc. More formal/literary.
While 見る is the most direct translation, it can sound unnatural in contexts like 'look at the data' or 'look at this issue'. Use 調べる or 確認する for examining, and 見なす for regarding.
データを調べてください。
Please look at the data.
見る simply means 'look' or 'see'. 見てみる adds the nuance of 'try looking' or 'take a look', often used when you are not sure what you will find.
新しいレストランを見てみよう。
Let's check out the new restaurant.
ホテルは海に面している。
The hotel looks out onto the sea.