Translation guide
The English phrase 'look down' can mean physically directing your gaze downward, or metaphorically regarding someone with contempt. This guide covers both meanings, with natural Japanese expressions for each.
To lower one's eyes or head to see something below.
The most direct and common way to say 'look down' in the physical sense. 下 (した) means 'down' or 'below', and 見る (みる) means 'look'.
He looked down shyly.
Means 'look down at' from a high place. Often used when looking down from a window, hill, or tall building. Emphasizes the downward direction from a vantage point.
Means 'to look down' or 'to hang one's head', often implying shyness, sadness, or shame. It's an intransitive verb describing the posture.
Kanji form of うつむく. Same meaning but more literary. Rarely used in everyday writing.
To think of someone as inferior or unworthy.
下を見る (shita o miru) only means physically looking down. Using it to mean 'look down on someone' will cause confusion. Use 見下す (mikudasu) for contempt.
He looked down at me. (physical, not contempt)
Watch your step and look down while walking.
山の頂上から町を見下ろした。
I looked down at the town from the top of the mountain.
彼女は恥ずかしくてうつむいた。
She looked down in embarrassment.
彼は俯いて何も言わなかった。
He looked down and said nothing.
The most common way to say 'look down on someone' in a contemptuous sense. It literally means 'look down', but is used metaphorically.
He always looks down on others.
It's not good to look down on people like that.
Means 'to despise' or 'to scorn'. Stronger than 見下す and more formal. Often used in written language.
He looks down on liars.
Literally 'to make a fool of', this is a very common casual way to say 'look down on' or 'make fun of'. It implies treating someone as stupid.
He looks down on me. / He makes fun of me.
Means 'to despise', 'to belittle', or 'to underestimate'. Often used when someone underestimates an opponent's ability.
Don't look down on your enemy.
彼は私を見下した。
He looked down on me. (contempt)