Translation guide
How to express 'glimpse' in Japanese, covering quick looks, brief sightings, and catching sight of something.
To see something for a very short time, often by chance.
The most common way to say 'catch a glimpse'. ちらっと is an onomatopoeia for a quick, fleeting glance.
I caught a glimpse of him entering the room.
Literally 'peep through a gap', used for a brief, often secretive glimpse. Slightly literary.
I caught a glimpse of her true feelings.
Formal/literary term for a single glance. Rare in conversation.
He glanced at his watch.
A noun meaning a short or incomplete view of something.
Noun form using ちらりと, a variant of ちらっと. Natural for 'a glimpse'.
I got a glimpse of the sea from the window.
Literally 'one eye', meaning a single glance. Often used in phrases like 一目見る (take a look).
Means 'a glimpse' of someone's talent, character, etc. Literary and often used in set phrases.
To see something or someone momentarily, often unexpectedly.
ちらっと見る is casual and common for any quick look. 垣間見る implies a hidden or secret view, often used metaphorically for emotions or truths.
I took a quick peek at his diary.
I caught a secret glimpse of his diary.
一瞥 is very formal and literary. In everyday speech, use ちらっと見る or 見かける instead.
一目で彼だとわかった。
I recognized him at a glance.
彼の才能の片鱗を見せた。
He showed a glimpse of his talent.
走っている猫が目に入った。
A running cat caught my eye.