Translation guide
Expressing admiration, respect, or regarding someone as a role model or superior.
To express that you admire or respect someone, often for their qualities or achievements.
The most common and direct way to say you respect or look up to someone. Used for people you admire for their character, achievements, or position.
私は彼をとても尊敬しています。
I really look up to him.
She is looked up to by many people.
Expresses a strong admiration or longing, often with a sense of idealization. Commonly used for someone you aspire to be like.
私は彼女の生き方に憧れています。
I look up to her way of life.
子供の頃、プロのサッカー選手に憧れていた。
When I was a child, I looked up to professional soccer players.
Literally 'to look up at', but can figuratively mean to look up to someone with respect. Less common than 尊敬する or 憧れる for abstract admiration.
彼は誰からも見上げられるような人物だ。
He is the kind of person everyone looks up to.
To revere or hold in high esteem, often used for elders, teachers, or deities. More formal and traditional.
私たちは祖先を敬うべきだ。
We should look up to our ancestors.
To express that you see someone as an example to follow or emulate.
To use someone as a model or example. Implies actively trying to learn from or imitate their behavior.
彼の仕事ぶりを手本にしています。
I look up to his work ethic as a model.
To follow someone's example, to learn from them. Often used when you want to emulate specific skills or attitudes.
彼の忍耐力を見習いたい。
I want to look up to his patience and learn from it.
To set someone as a goal or target. More about aspiring to reach their level rather than daily admiration.
彼女を目標にして頑張ります。
I'll work hard with her as someone I look up to.
To express respect towards someone in a higher position, such as a boss, teacher, or older relative.
Specifically for respecting someone as a superior or elder. Combines the concept of hierarchy with admiration.
彼は目上の人として尊敬している。
I look up to him as a superior.
In Japanese, looking up to someone is often expressed through the use of keigo (honorific language) rather than explicit statements. Using 尊敬語 (sonkeigo) for their actions and 謙譲語 (kenjougo) for your own actions conveys respect.
部長がおっしゃったことをメモしました。
I noted down what the manager said (using respectful language).
尊敬する is used for respect based on someone's character, achievements, or position. 憧れる carries a stronger emotional longing and idealization, often used for celebrities or lifestyles you wish you had. 憧れる can sometimes imply a distant admiration, while 尊敬する is more grounded.
彼の誠実さを尊敬している。
I respect his sincerity.
彼女の自由な生き方に憧れている。
I long for her free way of living.
The English phrase 'looking up to' is not directly translated word-for-word into Japanese. While 見上げる can mean both physical and figurative looking up, it is less common for abstract admiration. Use 尊敬する or 憧れる for natural expression.
私は彼を尊敬しています。
I look up to him.