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.
彼が部屋に入るのをちらっと見た。
I caught a glimpse of him entering the room.
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'.
窓から海がちらりと見えた。
I got a glimpse of the sea from the window.
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.
彼の日記をちらっと見た。
I took a quick peek at his diary.
彼の日記を垣間見た。
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.
Literally 'peep through a gap', used for a brief, often secretive glimpse. Slightly literary.
彼女の本当の気持ちを垣間見た。
I caught a glimpse of her true feelings.
Formal/literary term for a single glance. Rare in conversation.
彼は時計を一瞥した。
He glanced at his watch.
Literally 'one eye', meaning a single glance. Often used in phrases like 一目見る (take a look).
一目で彼だとわかった。
I recognized him at a glance.
Means 'a glimpse' of someone's talent, character, etc. Literary and often used in set phrases.
彼の才能の片鱗を見せた。
He showed a glimpse of his talent.
Common verb for 'catch sight of' or 'notice' someone/something. Implies a brief sighting.
駅で彼女を見かけた。
I glimpsed her at the station.
Literally 'enter the eye', meaning something comes into view briefly.
走っている猫が目に入った。
A running cat caught my eye.