Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "See" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "see", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
見る
みる (miru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
ご覧になる
ごらんになる (goran ni naru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "see" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 見る and ご覧になる.
In Japanese, 見る (みる (miru)) is typically associated with "to see, to watch, to look" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used for observing something. Polite form is 見ます.
On the other hand, ご覧になる (ごらんになる (goran ni naru)) maps to "to see, to look (honorific)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Sonkeigo. A literal translation of "see" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "見る"
テレビを見ます。
I watch TV.
Bilingual Context for "ご覧になる"
社長、こちらの資料をどうぞご覧ください。
President, please take a look at these documents.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "テレビを見ます。" (Meaning: "I watch TV.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "見る" fits here because it means "to see, to watch, to look" in the context of: "I watch TV.". "ご覧になる" represents "to see, to look (honorific)".