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.
鍵を探しています。
I'm looking for my keys.
疲れているように見える。
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.
テレビを見るのが好きです。
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.
彼は星空を眺めていた。
He was gazing at the starry sky.
To stare or gaze intently at something, often with concentration or strong emotion.
彼女は彼の顔をじっと見つめた。
She stared intently at his face.
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.
鍵を探しています。
I'm looking for my keys.
新しい仕事を探している。
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.
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).
このケーキ、美味しそう！
This cake looks delicious!
彼は嬉しそうだ。
He looks happy.
A casual way to say 'looks like' or 'seems like'. Attach to nouns, adjectives, or verbs in plain form.
あの人、芸能人みたい。
That person looks like a celebrity.
雨が降りそうみたい。
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.
彼は疲れているように見える。
He looks tired.
A noun meaning 'appearance' or 'look'. Often used in phrases like 見た目がいい (looks good).
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.
この部屋は南を向いている。
This room faces south.
彼はこっちを向いた。
He looked this way. / He turned to face this way.
Transitive verb meaning 'to turn something toward' or 'to point something at'.
While all can be read as みる, they have different nuances. 見る is general 'to look/watch'. 観る is used for watching performances, movies, or scenery with appreciation. 診る is used for a doctor examining a patient. In most everyday situations, 見る is sufficient.
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'.
何を見ているの？
What are you looking at?
The police are looking for the missing person.
To look around everywhere for something, implying a more active or frantic search.
家中を探し回った。
I looked all over the house.
It doesn't look good, but it tastes good.
Point the camera at the subject.