見みくびる

み

く

び

る

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

underrate; belittle; look down on

Expresses underestimating someone's ability, worth, or strength, often with a nuance of contempt or dismissiveness.

彼かれの実じつ力りょくを見みくびっていた。
I underestimated his ability.
相あい手てを見みくびると痛いたい目

め

に

あう

。

If you look down on your opponent, you'll get hurt.

Written forms

見みくびるUsage75%
Standard modern spelling; the second kanji is often written in kana.
みくびるUsage21%
見み縊くびるUsage4%
Full kanji form; the second kanji is uncommon and this spelling is rarely used.

Kanji

見see, hopes, chances
縊strangle

Similar words

侮あなどる
侮る is more formal and often used in written language or serious contexts, while 見くびる is more colloquial and implies a dismissive attitude.
軽かろんじる
軽んじる means to treat lightly or disregard, focusing on lack of respect, whereas 見くびる specifically means to underestimate someone's capabilities.

Etymology

Compound of 見る (miru, 'to see') and くびる (kubiru, 'to bind, strangle'), with the latter possibly contributing a sense of 'looking down on' or 'tying down' one's estimation. The exact derivation is uncertain.