Translation guide
The English word 'looking' can describe the act of directing your gaze, searching for something, or the appearance of someone or something. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these different uses.
I'm looking for my keys.
You look tired.
To turn your eyes toward something or watch something happening.
The most common and neutral verb for 'to look' or 'to watch'. Use this for intentionally directing your gaze.
I'm looking out the window.
I like watching TV.
To gaze at something, often for a longer time and with a sense of appreciation or contemplation. More literary or poetic than 見る.
To stare or gaze intently at something, often with concentration or strong emotion.
To look for something you want to find or obtain.
The standard verb for 'to look for' or 'to search for'. Use this when you are trying to find a physical object, a person, or information.
To describe how someone or something looks or seems.
Attach to the stem of an i-adjective or na-adjective to mean 'looks/seems (adjective)'. For example, 美味しそう (looks delicious), 元気そう (looks energetic).
This cake looks delicious!
To describe the direction something is oriented or facing.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to face' or 'to point toward'. Use に or を to indicate direction.
What are you looking at?
彼は星空を眺めていた。
He was gazing at the starry sky.
彼女は彼の顔をじっと見つめた。
She stared intently at his face.
I'm looking for my keys.
I'm looking for a new job.
Often used specifically for searching for a missing person or lost item, with a nuance of a more thorough or official search. Can be written with the same kana as 探す.
The police are looking for the missing person.
To look around everywhere for something, implying a more active or frantic search.
I looked all over the house.
He looks happy.
A casual way to say 'looks like' or 'seems like'. Attach to nouns, adjectives, or verbs in plain form.
That person looks like a celebrity.
It looks like it's going to rain.
A more formal or written pattern meaning 'it appears that' or 'it looks as if'. Used with verbs and adjectives.
He looks tired.
A noun meaning 'appearance' or 'look'. Often used in phrases like 見た目がいい (looks good).
It doesn't look good, but it tastes good.
この部屋は南を向いている。
This room faces south.
He looked this way. / He turned to face this way.
Transitive verb meaning 'to turn something toward' or 'to point something at'.
Point the camera at the subject.
a doctor examines a patient
English 'looking for' means searching, which is 探す (さがす), not 見る. Saying 鍵を見ている means 'I am looking at the keys', not 'I am looking for the keys'.
She looks like her mother.
Use 似ている (にている) for resemblance, not a 'looking' pattern.