Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Look" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "look", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
見直す
みなおす (minaosu)
N3 / 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 見直す and 見返す.
In Japanese, 見直す (みなおす (minaosu)) is typically associated with "to look over again, to review, to re-examine" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 何かを再度確認したり、改善するために見たりする場合に使う。Used when re-checking something or looking at it again for improvement..
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 "見直す"
レポートを提出する前にもう一度見直してください。
Please review your report one more time before submitting it.
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: "レポートを提出する前にもう一度見直してください。" (Meaning: "Please review your report one more time before submitting it.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "見直す" fits here because it means "to look over again, to review, to re-examine" in the context of: "Please review your report one more time before submitting it.". "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)".