Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Visit" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "visit", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
見舞う
みまう (mimau)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
うかがう
うかがう (ukagau)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "visit" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 見舞う and うかがう.
In Japanese, 見舞う (みまう (mimau)) is typically associated with "to visit (a sick person, a disaster area); to suffer from, to be afflicted with (a disaster)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Transitive verb. Can be used for visiting people.
On the other hand, うかがう (うかがう (ukagau)) maps to "to visit, to ask, to hear (humble)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 謙譲語. A literal translation of "visit" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "見舞う"
先日、地震に見舞われた地域を見舞った。
The other day, I visited the area that was hit by the earthquake.
Bilingual Context for "うかがう"
明日、先生のお宅にうかがいます。
I will visit the teacher's house tomorrow.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "先日、地震に見舞われた地域を見舞った。" (Meaning: "The other day, I visited the area that was hit by the earthquake.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "見舞う" fits here because it means "to visit (a sick person, a disaster area); to suffer from, to be afflicted with (a disaster)" in the context of: "The other day, I visited the area that was hit by the earthquake.". "うかがう" represents "to visit, to ask, to hear (humble)".