Translation guide
To take care of or be responsible for someone's well-being, safety, or needs.
To provide care, attention, or supervision for a person, often in a daily or ongoing sense.
The most common and versatile way to say 'look after someone.' It implies taking care of someone's needs, often used for children, elderly, or anyone needing assistance.
彼女は子供の面倒を見ている。
She is looking after the children.
祖母の面倒を見るのは大変だ。
Looking after my grandmother is tough.
Similar to 面倒を見る, but slightly more formal or polite. Often used when talking about caring for someone in a professional or respectful context.
看護師が患者の世話をしている。
The nurse is looking after the patient.
Polite version of 世話をする. Adds お for respect. Suitable when the person being cared for is of higher status or in formal situations.
お客様のお世話をさせていただきます。
I will look after the guest.
To supervise or monitor someone to ensure their safety, often temporarily.
To watch over someone protectively, often from a distance, without direct intervention. Used for children playing, or monitoring someone's progress.
子供たちが遊んでいるのを見守っている。
I'm looking after the kids while they play.
Literally 'not take one's eyes off.' Emphasizes constant vigilance, often for safety reasons.
小さい子から目を離さないでください。
Please don't stop looking after the little one.
To manage affairs or protect someone's interests, often in a professional or guardian role.
Also used for taking responsibility for someone's overall well-being, including financial or legal matters.
彼は弟の面倒を見て、大学に行かせた。
He looked after his younger brother and sent him to college.
A flexible pattern meaning 'to see to someone's affairs.' The 〜 is replaced by the person or group.
私が彼のことを見ます。
I'll look after him (his affairs).
To care for someone for a short period, often as a favor or paid service.
Means to take care of someone (or a pet) temporarily on behalf of another. Commonly used for babysitting or pet-sitting.
友達の子供を預かっています。
I'm looking after my friend's child.
旅行中、犬を預かってくれませんか？
Could you look after my dog while I'm traveling?
Specifically means 'to babysit.' More casual and direct than 預かる.
今夜、妹の子守をする。
I'm looking after my little sister tonight.
Both mean 'to look after,' but 面倒を見る is more common in daily conversation and implies a broader sense of responsibility. 世話をする is slightly more formal and often used in caregiving professions. お世話をする is the polite version.
Do not translate 'look after' literally as 見る後 or similar. It is an idiomatic phrasal verb with no direct word-for-word equivalent in Japanese.