Translation guide
The English verb "look" covers many meanings, from directing your gaze to describing appearance. Japanese uses different words and grammar patterns for each meaning. This guide breaks down the most useful ones for learners.
To turn your eyes toward something, often intentionally.
The most common and neutral verb for 'look' or 'see'. It can be used for both intentional looking and passive seeing.
あの絵を見てください。
Please look at that painting.
I looked out the window.
Literally 'turn one's eyes to', used when you direct your attention or gaze toward something.
He looked at me.
To gaze at or look at something for a while, often with appreciation or contemplation.
I like looking at the scenery.
To stare or gaze intently at something.
She stared at his face.
To look for something, to search.
To describe how someone or something appears.
A common pattern meaning 'looks like ~' or 'seems ~'. Attach to nouns, adjectives, or verbs.
He looks tired.
That cloud looks like a dog.
Attach to adjective stems or verb stems to mean 'looks ~' or 'seems ~'. For い-adjectives, drop the final い; for な-adjectives, just add そう.
Casual pattern meaning 'looks like' or 'seems like'. Used in spoken Japanese.
He looks angry.
Attach to nouns or adjective stems to mean '-ish' or 'looks like'. Often implies a negative or casual nuance.
He looks forgetful. / He tends to forget.
To be oriented toward a certain direction.
To look at something carefully to check or examine it.
To look after someone or something.
To look forward to something.
To look forward to something with pleasure.
I'm looking forward to the weekend.
English uses 'look' in many phrasal verbs and idioms. Japanese often uses completely different verbs. For example, 'look for' is 探す, not 見る + ために. Always learn the whole expression.
見る (miru) is 'to look' (intentional), while 見える (mieru) is 'to be visible' or 'can see' (potential/spontaneous). Don't confuse them.
The police are looking for the criminal.
It looks like it's going to rain.
Look the camera this way.
I'm looking into the cause.
To look after or take care of someone, often with a nuance of responsibility.
I'm looking after my grandmother.