Translation guide
This English phrase can be literal (physically turning to look behind) or figurative (feeling anxious about being watched or overtaken). Japanese uses different expressions for each.
To turn one's head or body to see what is behind.
To feel paranoid, anxious, or constantly checking for threats or competitors.
Means 'to be concerned about what's behind you'. Captures the figurative sense of anxiety about being watched or followed.
彼はいつも背後を気にしている。
He's always looking over his shoulder.
The direct translation '肩越しに見る' is understandable but not the most natural way to express the physical action. Use '振り返る' for everyday situations.
振り返って手を振った。
I looked over my shoulder and waved.
The most common and natural way to say 'look back' or 'turn around to look'. Used for physically turning to see behind.
彼は肩越しに振り返った。
He looked over his shoulder.
誰かに呼ばれた気がして振り返った。
I thought someone called my name, so I looked over my shoulder.
Explicitly says 'look back behind'. Slightly more emphatic about the direction.
後ろを振り返ると、犬がついてきていた。
When I looked over my shoulder, a dog was following me.
Literally 'look over the shoulder'. More descriptive and closer to the English phrasing, but less common as a set phrase.
彼女は肩越しに私を見た。
She looked at me over her shoulder.
Means 'turn to face behind'. Implies a more complete turn, not just a glance.
後ろを向いて誰がいるか確認した。
I turned around to see who was there.
An adjective meaning 'feeling guilty' or 'having a guilty conscience', which can cause one to look over their shoulder figuratively.
何か後ろめたいことがあるのか、彼は落ち着かない。
He seems to have a guilty conscience, always looking over his shoulder.
Means 'to be on guard' or 'vigilant'. Used when someone is wary of danger from behind.
彼は常に警戒していて、後ろを振り返ってばかりいる。
He's constantly on guard, always looking over his shoulder.
Literally 'anxiety of being chased'. Describes the feeling of being pursued, which leads to looking over one's shoulder.
追われる不安から、彼はいつも背後を気にしている。
Because of the fear of being chased, he's always looking over his shoulder.