Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Look" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "look", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
世話する
せわする (sewa suru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
顧みる
かえりみる (kaerimiru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "look" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 世話する and 顧みる.
In Japanese, 世話する (せわする (sewa suru)) is typically associated with "to look after; to take care of; to attend to; to look out for" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to looking after someone.
On the other hand, 顧みる (かえりみる (kaerimiru)) maps to "to look back (on the past), to reflect, to review, to consider (one's duty/self)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 過去の出来事や自分の行いを振り返って考えること。反省や回想の意味合いが強い。また、周囲の状況や人のことを気にかける、という意味でも使う。To look back and reflect on past events or one's own actions, with a strong connotation of introspection or reminiscence. Can also mean to care about surrounding circumstances or people.. A literal translation of "look" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "世話する"
オフィスの休憩エリアをスマートに緑化するため、彼は週末にも自動給水センサーと連携して植物をスマートに_______ました。
In order to smartly greenify the office break area, he smartly took care of the plants in coordination with the automatic watering sensor even on weekends.
Bilingual Context for "顧みる"
自分の過去の行動を顧みて反省した。
I reflected on my past actions and regretted them.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "オフィスの休憩エリアをスマートに緑化するため、彼は週末にも自動給水センサーと連携して植物をスマートに_______ました。" (Meaning: "In order to smartly greenify the office break area, he smartly took care of the plants in coordination with the automatic watering sensor even on weekends.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "世話する" fits here because it means "to look after; to take care of; to attend to; to look out for" in the context of: "In order to smartly greenify the office break area, he smartly took care of the plants in coordination with the automatic watering sensor even on weekends.". "顧みる" represents "to look back (on the past), to reflect, to review, to consider (one's duty/self)".