Translation guide
Expressing the idea of looking down on someone or something, including contempt, condescension, and literal downward gaze.
To express that you consider someone or something inferior or worthless.
The most direct and common verb for looking down on someone with contempt or condescension.
To express a superior attitude, often in a less harsh but still dismissive way.
To describe the physical act of directing one's gaze downward.
The neutral, literal way to say 'look down'.
彼は恥ずかしそうに下を見た。
He looked down shyly.
見下ろす (みおろす) is only for physically looking down from a high place. Using it for contempt would be unnatural. Use 見下す (みくだす) for looking down on someone figuratively.
彼は私を見下した。
He looked down on me. (contempt)
彼は窓から私を見下ろした。
He looked down at me from the window. (physical)
彼はいつも人を見下すような態度をとる。
He always takes an attitude of looking down on people.
Means to despise or scorn, often with a stronger sense of moral contempt.
彼女は嘘をつく人を軽蔑している。
She despises people who lie.
To belittle or make light of, often implying underestimation.
相手を侮ってはいけない。
You must not look down on your opponent.
A literary or formal word for despising or scorning.
彼は弱い者を蔑むようなことはしなかった。
He never looked down on the weak.
Literally 'viewpoint from above', a common phrase for a condescending or patronizing attitude.
彼の上から目線の言い方が嫌だ。
I hate his condescending way of speaking.
A condescending attitude, using the past tense of 見下す as an adjective.
彼女はいつも見下した態度で話す。
She always speaks with a condescending attitude.
To look down from a height, such as from a window or hill.
山の上から町を見下ろした。
I looked down on the town from the top of the mountain.