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
見通す
みとおす (mitoosu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "see" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 見ます and 見通す.
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, 見通す (みとおす (mitoosu)) maps to "to see through, to foresee, to have a clear view" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Can be used for literal sight. 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 "見通す"
彼はそのプロジェクトの成功を最初から見通していた。
He foresaw the success of that project from the beginning.
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.". "見通す" represents "to see through, to foresee, to have a clear view".