Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "See" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "see", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
見ます
みます (mimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
みる
みる (miru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "see" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 見ます and みる.
In Japanese, 見ます (みます (mimasu)) is typically associated with "to see, to watch, to look" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 見る.
On the other hand, みる (みる (miru)) maps to "to see, to watch, to look" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Transitive verb. Used for watching TV, looking at something, seeing someone. The kanji is 見る.. A literal translation of "see" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "見ます"
昨日の夜、テレビで映画を見ました。
I watched a movie on TV last night.
Bilingual Context for "みる"
テレビをみます。
I watch TV.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "昨日の夜、テレビで映画を見ました。" (Meaning: "I watched a movie on TV last night.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "見ます" fits here because it means "to see, to watch, to look" in the context of: "I watched a movie on TV last night.". "みる" represents "to see, to watch, to look".