Translation guide
Expressing the act of going somewhere to see something or someone, often with a purpose.
I'm going to see a friend.
I'll go see him tomorrow.
Means 'to visit'. Slightly more formal, often used for visiting someone's home or a place.
I'll go see my grandmother on the weekend.
Specifically means to visit someone who is sick or in the hospital.
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.
I'm going to see a movie.
Would you like to go see the new art museum?
Often used for performances, sports, or sightseeing. The kanji 観 implies watching with appreciation.
I'm going to see a kabuki performance.
Means 'to sightsee' or 'to go see the sights'. Used for tourist activities.
I'll go see temples in Kyoto.
Expressing that you go to consult a professional, especially a doctor.
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.
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.