見張る
み
は
る
見張る · godan verb (-ru)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 見張る | 見張らない |
| Polite | 見張ります | 見張りません |
| Past polite | 見張りました | 見張りませんでした |
| Past | 見張った | 見張らなかった |
| Te-form | 見張って | 見張らないで |
| Desire | 見張りたい | 見張りたくない |
| Potential | 見張れる | 見張れない |
| Passive | 見張られる | 見張られない |
| Causative | 見張らせる | 見張らせない |
| Causative passive | 見張らせられるalso 見張らされる | 見張らせられないalso 見張らされない |
| Volitional | 見張ろう | |
| Polite volitional | 見張りましょう | |
| Imperative | 見張れ | 見張るな |
| Conditional | 見張れば | 見張らなければ |
| Tara conditional | 見張ったら | 見張らなかったら |
Meanings
1
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
stand watch; stand guard; keep a lookout
Only when written 見張る / 見はる
Used for watching over a place or person to prevent trouble, or keeping a lookout for something. Often implies vigilance.
A security guard is watching over the building at night.
The parents kept a close watch while the children played in the pool.
2
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Almost exclusively used in the set phrase 目を見張る (to open one's eyes wide in surprise or admiration). Rarely used alone in modern Japanese.
See also: 目を見張る
I opened my eyes wide at her beauty.
The detail of the painting is eye-opening.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉を見張るto keep watch on someone
The police officer was keeping watch on the suspicious man.
- 〈場所〉を見張るto keep watch over a place
The soldiers are keeping watch over the gate.