Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Look" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "look", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
調べる
しらべる (shiraberu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
待ち望む
まちのぞむ (machinozomu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "look" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 調べる and 待ち望む.
In Japanese, 調べる (しらべる (shiraberu)) is typically associated with "to look up; to check; to investigate" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used for looking up information.
On the other hand, 待ち望む (まちのぞむ (machinozomu)) maps to "to look forward to, to eagerly await" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents To wait for something with strong hope and anticipation, implying a deep desire or yearning for it to happen. 何かが起こることを強く期待して待つこと。実現を心から願う気持ちが含まれる。. A literal translation of "look" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "調べる"
辞書で言葉の意味を調べました。
I looked up the meaning of the word in the dictionary.
Bilingual Context for "待ち望む"
彼はボーナスを待ち望んでいた。
He was eagerly awaiting his bonus.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "辞書で言葉の意味を調べました。" (Meaning: "I looked up the meaning of the word in the dictionary.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "調べる" fits here because it means "to look up; to check; to investigate" in the context of: "I looked up the meaning of the word in the dictionary.". "待ち望む" represents "to look forward to, to eagerly await".