Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Look" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "look", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
見合わせ
みあわせ (miawase)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
白眼視
はくがんし (hakuganshi)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "look" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 見合わせ and 白眼視.
In Japanese, 見合わせ (みあわせ (miawase)) is typically associated with "to look at each other, to postpone, to suspend, to cancel" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Has two main meanings: 1) to look at each other.
On the other hand, 白眼視 (はくがんし (hakuganshi)) maps to "to look at someone with scorn/disdain; to ostracize; to give someone the cold shoulder" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Describes looking at someone with contempt or disdain, often implying social rejection or disapproval. Used for a negative gaze.. A literal translation of "look" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "見合わせ"
悪天候のため、本日の飛行機は出発を見合わせになった。
Due to bad weather, today's flight has been postponed.
Bilingual Context for "白眼視"
彼はその意見を述べた後、皆から白眼視された。
After stating that opinion, he was looked at with scorn by everyone.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "悪天候のため、本日の飛行機は出発を ＿＿＿ になった。" (Meaning: "Due to bad weather, today's flight has been postponed.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "見合わせ" fits here because it means "to look at each other, to postpone, to suspend, to cancel" in the context of: "Due to bad weather, today's flight has been postponed.". "白眼視" represents "to look at someone with scorn/disdain; to ostracize; to give someone the cold shoulder".