Translation guide
Expressing that you have already seen or examined something, or that you have experience looking at something. In Japanese, this is usually expressed with the past tense of 'to see' (見た) or the experience form (〜たことがある), depending on whether you mean a specific recent action or general life experience.
もう見ました。
I have already looked at it.
これを見たことがありますか？
Have you ever looked at this?
You want to say that you have already looked at something (e.g., a document, a photo, a website) and are aware of its contents. Often used when someone asks if you've seen something.
Casual way to say 'I already saw it.' Use with friends or in informal situations.
そのメール、もう見たよ。
I already looked at that email.
Polite way to say 'I already saw it.' Suitable for most everyday situations.
その書類はもう見ました。
I have already looked at that document.
More formal, meaning 'I have checked/confirmed it.' Often used in business contexts when you've reviewed something.
ご依頼の件、確認しました。
I have looked at (checked) the matter you requested.
Humble expression (謙譲語) meaning 'I had the honor of seeing it.' Used in very formal business or when referring to something from a superior.
お送りいただいた資料を拝見しました。
I have looked at the materials you sent me.
You want to express that you have had the experience of looking at something at some point in your life. Often used with 'ever' or in questions.
Standard pattern for 'have (ever) seen/looked at.' Use ある for affirmative, ない for negative.
あの映画を見たことがありますか？
Have you ever looked at (seen) that movie?
この絵を見たことがない。
I have never looked at this painting.
Casual contraction of 見たことがある. Common in speech.
それ、見たことある！
I've seen that before!
You want to emphasize that you looked at something very recently, often in response to a suggestion or reminder.
Casual way to say 'I just looked at it a moment ago.'
そのサイト、さっき見たよ。
I just looked at that site a moment ago.
Polite way to say 'I just looked at it right now.'
たった今、メールを見ました。
I just looked at the email right now.
You want to say that you haven't looked at something yet, often implying you will later.
Standard way to say 'I haven't looked at it yet.' Can be made polite by changing to 見ていません.
そのレポートはまだ見ていません。
I haven't looked at that report yet.
Casual contraction of 見ていない. Common in informal speech.
ごめん、まだ見てない。
Sorry, I haven't looked at it yet.
English uses the present perfect 'have looked at' to describe a completed action with present relevance. Japanese does not have a direct equivalent tense. Instead, use past tense (見た) or the experience form (〜たことがある) depending on context. Avoid literal translations like 見ていることがある, which would mean 'there are times when I am looking at it.'