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
拝見
はいけん (haiken)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "see" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 見ます and 拝見.
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, 拝見 (はいけん (haiken)) maps to "to see, to look at (humble form of 見る)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents A humble verb used when the speaker sees or looks at something belonging to or presented by someone of higher status.. 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 "拝見"
先生の作品を拝見しました。
I humbly saw/looked at the teacher's work.
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.". "拝見" represents "to see, to look at (humble form of 見る)".