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.
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.
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.
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.
To see something or someone momentarily, often unexpectedly.
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.
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.
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.