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
見返す
みかえす (mikaesu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "look" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 見渡す and 見返す.
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, 見返す (みかえす (mikaesu)) maps to "to look back at; to give someone a look back; to get revenge/prove oneself right (often after being looked down upon)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Can mean to look back at something or someone, or more often, to prove one's worth or get back at someone who underestimated you through success.. 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 "見返す"
彼は自分を馬鹿にした人たちを見返すために、一生懸命努力した。
He worked hard to prove himself to those who had made fun of him.
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.". "見返す" represents "to look back at; to give someone a look back; to get revenge/prove oneself right (often after being looked down upon)".