Translation guide
The English word "saw" can be a noun (tool) or the past tense of "see". This guide covers both meanings, with a focus on natural Japanese equivalents.
A hand tool or power tool with a toothed blade for cutting wood or other materials.
The action of perceiving with the eyes in the past.
To have met or encountered a person in the past.
Plain past form of 会う (to meet). Used for casual encounters.
To have understood or realized something in the past.
Plain past form of わかる (to understand). Often used when you "see" a point or reason.
To have accompanied someone to a place or to have seen them off.
Plain past form of 送る (to send/escort). Used when you saw someone to the station, etc.
チェーンソーで枝を切った。
I cut the branch with a chainsaw.
Polite past form of 見る. Used in formal situations.
I saw that exhibition last week.
Humble past form of 見る. Used when the speaker saw something of the listener's or a superior's.
I saw (read) your letter.
I saw (met) a friend yesterday.
Polite past form of 会う.
I saw (met) my teacher the other day.
Humble past form of 会う. Used when meeting a superior or customer.
I was glad to see (meet) you the other day.
Oh, I see. I finally got it.
More formal past form of 理解する (to comprehend).
I saw (understood) the problem from his explanation.
I saw her to the station.
Plain past form of 見送る (to see off). Emphasizes watching someone leave.
I saw my friend off at the airport.
I saw (met) a friend yesterday.
To say you saw a movie, play, or event, 見る is natural. For actively watching, 観る (みる) is sometimes used for movies/plays, but 見る is common.
I saw a saw at the store.
Both meanings in one sentence.