Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Look" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "look", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
探します
さがします (sagashimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
見渡す
みわたす (miwatasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "look" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 探します and 見渡す.
In Japanese, 探します (さがします (sagashimasu)) is typically associated with "to look for, to search for" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Verb, polite form. Used when trying to find something lost or someone. The dictionary form is 探す.
On the other hand, 見渡す (みわたす (miwatasu)) maps to "to look out over, to survey (a scene), to gaze across" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 高い場所から広い範囲全体に目をやって景色や状況を眺めることを指します。. A literal translation of "look" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "探します"
鍵をどこかに探しています。
I'm looking for my keys somewhere.
Bilingual Context for "見渡す"
山の頂上から街全体を見渡した。
I looked out over the entire city from the mountaintop.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "鍵をどこかに探しています。" (Meaning: "I'm looking for my keys somewhere.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "探します" fits here because it means "to look for, to search for" in the context of: "I'm looking for my keys somewhere.". "見渡す" represents "to look out over, to survey (a scene), to gaze across".