Translation guide
The English phrase 'look down' can mean physically directing your gaze downward, or metaphorically regarding someone with contempt. This guide covers both meanings, with natural Japanese expressions for each.
To lower one's eyes or head to see something below.
The most direct and common way to say 'look down' in the physical sense. 下 (した) means 'down' or 'below', and 見る (みる) means 'look'.
彼は恥ずかしそうに下を見た。
He looked down shyly.
足元に気をつけて、下を見て歩いてください。
Watch your step and look down while walking.
To think of someone as inferior or unworthy.
Means 'look down at' from a high place. Often used when looking down from a window, hill, or tall building. Emphasizes the downward direction from a vantage point.
山の頂上から町を見下ろした。
I looked down at the town from the top of the mountain.
Means 'to look down' or 'to hang one's head', often implying shyness, sadness, or shame. It's an intransitive verb describing the posture.
彼女は恥ずかしくてうつむいた。
She looked down in embarrassment.
Kanji form of うつむく. Same meaning but more literary. Rarely used in everyday writing.
彼は俯いて何も言わなかった。
He looked down and said nothing.
The most common way to say 'look down on someone' in a contemptuous sense. It literally means 'look down', but is used metaphorically.
彼はいつも他人を見下している。
He always looks down on others.
そんな風に人を見下すのはよくない。
It's not good to look down on people like that.
Means 'to despise' or 'to scorn'. Stronger than 見下す and more formal. Often used in written language.
彼は嘘つきを軽蔑している。
He looks down on liars.
Literally 'to make a fool of', this is a very common casual way to say 'look down on' or 'make fun of'. It implies treating someone as stupid.
彼は私のことを馬鹿にしている。
He looks down on me. / He makes fun of me.
Means 'to despise', 'to belittle', or 'to underestimate'. Often used when someone underestimates an opponent's ability.
敵を侮ってはいけない。
Don't look down on your enemy.