Translation guide
To look at something quickly or briefly. In Japanese, this is expressed with verbs like ちらっと見る, チラ見する, or 一目見る, depending on the nuance and context.
To take a brief, casual look at something, often without staring or being obvious.
A very common and natural way to say 'glance at'. ちらっと is an onomatopoeia for a quick, fleeting look. Can be used for people, objects, or screens.
He glanced at his watch.
She glanced over here.
A casual, slightly slangy verb meaning to take a quick peek or glance, often when you're not supposed to look. Common in everyday speech.
I glanced at my neighbor's answers during the test.
Literally 'see with one glance'. Implies a quick look, often to get an overall impression or check something. Slightly more formal than ちらっと見る.
I glanced over the documents.
Means to look quickly or briefly, often with a sense of scanning. Can be used for reading or checking something.
I glanced at the email.
To glance at something secretly or furtively, often because you shouldn't be looking.
To see someone or something only for a moment, often unexpectedly.
ちらっと見る is neutral and can be used in any situation. チラ見する is more casual and often implies a sneaky or quick peek, sometimes with a negative connotation (e.g., looking at something you shouldn't).
The teacher glanced at the textbook.
I sneaked a glance at my neighbor's answers during the test.
Simply saying 見る (to see/look) does not convey the brevity of a glance. Always add an adverb like ちらっと or さっと to express 'glance at'.
I accidentally glanced at her cleavage.
I glanced at his back as he walked away.