Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Look" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "look", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
見渡す
みわたす (miwatasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
目つき
めつき (metsuki)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "look" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 見渡す and 目つき.
In Japanese, 見渡す (みわたす (miwatasu)) is typically associated with "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。.
On the other hand, 目つき (めつき (metsuki)) maps to "look, expression (of eyes), gaze" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Describes the expression or gaze in one's eyes, often implying a certain emotion or character. Can be positive or negative depending on context.. A literal translation of "look" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
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.
Bilingual Context for "目つき"
彼の目つきはとても鋭かった。
His gaze was very sharp.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "山の頂上から街全体を見渡した。" (Meaning: "I looked out over the entire city from the mountaintop.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "見渡す" fits here because it means "to look out over, to survey (a scene), to gaze across" in the context of: "I looked out over the entire city from the mountaintop.". "目つき" represents "look, expression (of eyes), gaze".