Translation guide
To look quickly or secretly, often from a hidden position or through a small opening.
To glance at something briefly and furtively, often without being noticed.
The most common verb for peeking, implying looking through a gap, from behind something, or into a place where you shouldn't.
I peeked into the room through the crack in the door.
A casual, colloquial phrase meaning to take a quick glance or sneak a peek, often at a person or thing of interest.
She was peeking over here.
Literally 'steal a look', emphasizing the secretive, illicit nature of peeking. More literary or dramatic.
To take a short look at something, often by moving your head or opening something slightly.
A simple, natural way to say 'take a quick look' without the secretive nuance. Use when peeking is just a brief glance.
When something appears partially or briefly from behind or under something else.
Used intransitively for things that are partially visible, like the sun peeking through clouds or a pet peeking out from under a blanket.
To secretly look at someone else's phone, computer, or other screen.
Specifically for peeking at a screen. Combines 覗く (peek) with 見る (look).
The English word 'peek' (look quickly) is often confused with 'peak' (summit). In Japanese, 覗く (のぞく) is for peeking, while 頂上 (ちょうじょう) or 山頂 (さんちょう) is for peak.
覗く implies looking through a gap, from a hidden spot, or briefly. 見る is just 'to look'. Use 覗く when there's an element of secrecy or partial view.
peek through a keyhole
I took a peek at the present.
He is peeking outside from behind the curtain.
彼は隣の人の答案を盗み見た。
He peeked at his neighbor's test paper.
Take a peek and tell me who came.
Also used for non-secretive peeking, like peeking into a shop or looking briefly at a book.
Let's peek into the bookstore for a bit.
The sun is peeking through the clouds.
The cat's face was peeking out from the futon.
Literally 'show one's face', used for people or animals appearing briefly, like peeking out from a hiding place.
The child peeked out from behind the door.
Don't peek at the person next to you's smartphone screen on the train.
Casual, can be used for screens as well.
I peeked at his computer and he was playing a game.
窓から外を見る
look outside from the window
No peeking!