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
拝見する
はいけんする (haiken suru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "see" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 見ます and 拝見する.
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, 拝見する (はいけんする (haiken suru)) maps to "to see, to look at (humble form of 見る)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 謙譲語（けんじょうご）。「見る」の謙譲語です。相手が持っているものや、相手に関するものを見る際に、相手への敬意を示す言葉として使われます。Humble form of 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 "拝見する"
課長の資料を拝見しました。
I looked at the section chief's document.
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.". "拝見する" represents "to see, to look at (humble form of 見る)".