Translation guide
Expressing the act of going somewhere to see something or someone, often with a purpose.
I'll go see him tomorrow.
Means 'to visit'. Slightly more formal, often used for visiting someone's home or a place.
週末に祖母を訪ねる。
I'll go see my grandmother on the weekend.
Specifically means to visit someone who is sick or in the hospital.
入院している友達を見舞いに行く。
I'm going to see a friend in the hospital.
Expressing that you go to look at or check something.
Literally 'go to see'. The most common way to say you're going to see something.
映画を見に行く。
I'm going to see a movie.
新しい美術館を見に行きませんか。
Would you like to go see the new art museum?
Often used for performances, sports, or sightseeing. The kanji 観 implies watching with appreciation.
歌舞伎を観に行く。
I'm going to see a kabuki performance.
Means 'to sightsee' or 'to go see the sights'. Used for tourist activities.
京都で寺を見物する。
I'll go see temples in Kyoto.
Expressing that you go to consult a professional, especially a doctor.
Literally 'get seen (by a doctor)'. The standard way to say you're going to see a doctor.
病院で診てもらう。
I'm going to see a doctor.
Formal term for 'having a medical examination'.
明日、内科を受診する。
I'm going to see an internist tomorrow.
Expressing that you go to say goodbye to someone departing.
Literally 'go to see off'. Used when going to the airport, station, etc. to say goodbye.
空港まで見送りに行く。
I'm going to see him off at the airport.
The English phrase 'go to see' often becomes 見に行く (mi ni iku) in Japanese, but for people, use 会いに行く (ai ni iku). Using 見に行く for a person sounds like you're going to stare at them.