What is the Kanji for "See"?

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "See", you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for "See" is "見".

This kanji has 2 readings:

Its kunyomi reading is "Mi".

Its onyomi reading is "Ken".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:

The radical "儿" means "Legs" . And The kanji "目" means "Eye" and can be read as "Me" and "Moku".

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "見" mean in japanese?

"見" means "See".

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in First Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N5 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

見る: "See". The Japanese verb '見る (みる)' means 'to see'. It is used to express the act of perceiving something with one's eyes. This verb can be used in a wide variety of contexts, such as observing, watching, or noticing something. For example: I see a bird - (鳥を見る). Please see me later - (後で私を見てください).

見える: "See" or "Appear". The Japanese verb '見える (みえる)' has two main meanings: 'to see' and 'to appear'. It is used to express that something is visible or perceptible. For example: I can see the mountain - (山が見えます). The house appears big - (家が大きく見える).

見せる: "Show". The Japanese verb '見せる (みせる)' means 'to show'. This verb is used when presenting or revealing something to someone. It can be used to show an object, a document, or even an action. For example: Can you show me your new phone? - (新しい携帯電話を見せてください). I will show you how to do it - (それがどのようにするか見せましょう).

花見: "Cherry blossom viewing". 花見 (はなみ)' is a Japanese noun that refers to the traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms. It involves gathering with friends or family under the blooming cherry trees, often with food and drinks. It is a popular seasonal activity in Japan, as the cherry blossoms only bloom for a short period each spring. For example: Let's go to a cherry blossom viewing party - (花見に行きましょう).

意見: "Opinion". The Japanese noun '意見 (いけん)' means 'opinion'. This word is used to express one's thoughts, views, or judgments on a particular matter. It can be used in formal and informal settings to share one's perspective. For example: What is your opinion on this matter? - (この問題についてあなたの意見は何ですか。) I have a different opinion - (私は別の意見を持っています。)

見物: "Sightseeing". The Japanese verbal noun '見物 (けんぶつ)' means 'sightseeing'. This term is used to describe the act of visiting and observing places of interest, such as tourist attractions, historical sites, or cultural events. It implies a casual, leisurely activity of exploring and experiencing new surroundings. For example: Let's go sightseeing in Kyoto - (京都で見物しましょう). I enjoyed sightseeing at the temple - (寺院で見物を楽しみました).

見送り: "See off". The verbal noun '見送り (みおくり)' means 'to see off'. It is used to describe the act of accompanying someone, especially to the train station or airport, as they depart on a journey. It implies a gesture of care and concern for the person leaving. For example: I saw my friend off at the train station - (私は友人を駅まで見送った). Let's see the guests off - (お客様を見送りましょう).

見学: "Observation". The Japanese verbal noun '見学 (けんがく)' means 'observation'. It refers to the act of observing or inspecting something, often in an educational or informative context. '見学' is commonly used to describe tours, visits, or field trips where people observe and learn about a particular place, process, or activity. For example: We went on an observation tour of the factory - (工場を見学しました). The students will have an observation session at the museum - (学生たちは博物館で見学をします).

見付ける: "Find". The Japanese verb '見付ける (みつける)' means 'to find'. This verb is used to describe the action of discovering or locating something that was previously unknown or hidden. It can be used for both physical objects as well as abstract concepts. For example: I found the book - (本を見付けた). She found a new job - (彼女は新しい仕事を見付けた).

発見: "Discovery". The Japanese verbal noun '発見(はっけん)' means 'discovery'. It refers to the act of finding something new or previously unknown. This word is commonly used to describe scientific or academic breakthroughs, the uncovering of hidden information, or the identification of something that was not previously known. For example: The scientists made an important discovery - (科学者たちは重要な発見をした). This new technology is a major discovery - (この新しい技術は重要な発見だ).

見詰める: "Gaze at" or "Stare at". The Japanese verb '見詰める (みつめる)' means 'to gaze at' or 'to stare at'. It expresses the action of intensely observing or focusing one's eyes on something. This verb conveys a sense of intent observation, concentration, or examination. For example: I gazed at her intently - (私は彼女をじっと見詰めた). He stared at the painting for a long time - (彼は絵画をじっくり見詰めた).

見付かる: "Be found". The Japanese verb '見付かる (みつかる)' means 'to be found'. This verb is used to indicate that something or someone has been discovered or located. It is often used in situations where a person or object was previously hidden or lost. For example: The lost dog was found - (迷子の犬が見付かった). She was found hiding in the closet - (彼女は押入れに隠れていて見付かった).

見事: "Splendid" or "Magnificent". The Japanese adjectival noun '見事 (みごと)' means 'splendid' or 'magnificent'. It is used to describe something that is remarkably impressive, beautiful, or extraordinary. This word can be applied to a wide range of things, such as nature, architecture, performances, or achievements. For example: The sunset was splendid - (夕日は見事だった). The athlete's performance was magnificent - (その選手の演技は見事だった).

見なす: "Consider". The Japanese verb '見なす (みなす)' means 'to consider'. It is used when you form an opinion or judgment about something. For example: I consider him a good friend - (私は彼を良い友達だと見なしている). She sees me as a hard worker - (彼女は私を一生懸命な人だと見なしている).

見物人: "Spectator". The Japanese noun '見物人 (けんぶつにん)' means 'spectator'. This word refers to someone who is observing or watching an event, performance, or activity. Spectators are often present at sporting events, shows, demonstrations, or other public gatherings to witness the proceedings. For example: The stadium was filled with enthusiastic spectators - (スタジアムは熱心な見物人でいっぱいだった). There were many spectators lining the street to watch the parade - (パレードを見るために、多くの見物人が道の両側にいた).

見掛ける: "To happen to see". The Japanese verb '見掛ける (みかける)' means 'to happen to see'. It expresses the accidental or unexpected nature of the act of seeing something. This verb is used when you see something unexpectedly or by chance, rather than deliberately seeking it out. For example: I happened to see my friend on the street - (友達に道で見掛けた). I happened to see a UFO in the sky - (空に UFO を見掛けた).

見出だす: "Find". The Japanese verb '見出だす (みいだす)' means 'to find'. It is used to describe the act of discovering or uncovering something, such as a solution, an idea, or a piece of information. This verb can be used in both concrete and abstract contexts. For example: I found the answer - (解答を見出だした). The scientist found a new discovery - (研究者は新しい発見を見出だした).

見上げる: "Look up". The Japanese verb '見上げる (みあげる)' means 'to look up'. This verb is used to describe the action of directing one's gaze upwards, typically to observe something that is located above the viewer. It can be used to describe looking up at the sky, at a tall building, or at someone or something that is situated at a higher level. For example: I looked up at the tall building - (私は高い建物を見上げた). She looked up at the stars - (彼女は星を見上げた).

見解: "View" or "Opinion". The Japanese noun '見解 (けんかい)' means 'view' or 'opinion'. It refers to a person's perspective, standpoint or interpretation on a particular matter or issue. '見解' suggests a considered, reasoned opinion rather than just a casual thought. For example: My view on this issue is... - (この問題に関する私の見解は...). She has a different view on the matter - (彼女はこの問題に関して異なる見解を持っている).

一見: "Apparently". The Japanese adverb '一見 (いっけん)' means 'apparently'. It is used to indicate that something seems or appears a certain way, despite the possibility that the reality may be different. It suggests that something is true or accurate on the surface or at first glance, but there may be more to it that is not immediately obvious. For example: Apparently, it's a nice day - (一見、いい天気だ). It's apparently a difficult problem - (一見、難しい問題のようだ).

見守る: "Watch over". The Japanese verb '見守る (みまもる)' means 'to watch over'. This verb is used to describe the act of closely observing or keeping an eye on someone or something, often with the intention of ensuring their well-being or safety. It conveys a sense of care, protection, and attentiveness. For example: She watched over her sleeping child - (彼女は眠っている子供を見守った). The teacher watched over the students during the field trip - (先生は遠足中、生徒たちを見守った).

見回す: "Scan". The Japanese verb '見回す (みまわす)' means 'to scan'. It is used to describe the action of looking around an area thoroughly, often with the intention of finding or observing something. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as security surveillance, inspections, or simply observing one's surroundings. For example: I scanned the room for any suspicious activity - (私はその部屋を見回して、不審な行動はないかを確認した). The guard scanned the area for any potential threats - (警備員はその地域を見回して、潜在的な脅威がないかを確認した).

暑中見舞い: "Summer greeting". The Japanese noun '暑中見舞い (しょちゅうみまい)' refers to a summer greeting card or letter that is sent during the hottest part of the summer (usually July-August) in Japan. It is a traditional way to keep in touch with friends, family or colleagues and convey well wishes for their health and comfort during the warm summer months. For example: I received a summer greeting card from my aunt - (私は叔母からの暑中見舞いをもらいました).

見張る: "Watch". The Japanese verb '見張る (みはる)' means 'to watch' or 'to keep a close watch on'. It is used to describe the action of carefully observing or monitoring something or someone. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as guarding, surveilling, or carefully monitoring a situation. For example: The guard is watching the area - (警備員が区域を見張っている). I will watch the store while you are away - (あなたが留守の間、店を見張っています).

浅見: "Shallow view". The Japanese noun '浅見 (せんけん)' means 'shallow view'. This refers to a limited or superficial understanding or perspective on a topic. It suggests a lack of depth or insight, and an inability to see the full complexity or nuance of a situation. For example: Her knowledge of the issue is just a shallow view - (彼女の問題に関する知識は浅見にすぎない).

見出し: "Heading". The Japanese noun '見出し (みだし)' refers to a 'heading' or title that appears at the beginning of a section or article. It serves to introduce and summarize the content that follows. Headings are often used to organize and structure written material, making it easier for readers to navigate and understand the information presented. For example: The article has an interesting heading - (この記事には興味深い見出しがある).

見本: "Sample". The Japanese noun '見本 (みほん)' means 'sample'. This word is used to refer to an example or a small portion of something that is representative of the whole. '見本' is often used in a commercial context to show customers a sample of a product before they make a purchase. For example: Let me show you a sample - (見本をお見せします). We have samples available for you to review - (お客様に見本をご覧いただけます).

見晴らし: "View". The Japanese noun '見晴らし (みはらし)' means 'view'. This word refers to a panoramic vista or scenic outlook that can be seen from a particular location. It is often used to describe a beautiful landscape or cityscape that can be enjoyed from an elevated position, such as the top of a hill or a high-rise building. For example: The hotel had a breathtaking view of the city - (ホテルには街の見晴らしがすばらしかった). The scenic overlook provided a stunning view - (展望台からは素晴らしい見晴らしを楽しめた).

月見: "Moon viewing". The Japanese noun '月見 (つきみ)' means 'moon viewing'. This term refers to the cultural practice of enjoying the moon, especially during autumn when the moon is full and bright. It often involves gathering with friends or family to appreciate the beauty of the moon, sometimes while drinking tea or sake and enjoying seasonal foods. For example: Let's go moon viewing tonight - (今夜は月見に行きましょう). I love autumn moon viewing - (私は秋の月見が大好きです).

よそ見: "Distraction". The verbal noun 'よそ見 (よそみ)' means 'distraction'. It refers to the act of looking away or being inattentive, often when one should be focused on a task or activity. This could include looking around at one's surroundings instead of paying attention, daydreaming, or being distracted by something else. For example: I got a traffic ticket because I was distracted - (私は気をそらしていてで交通違反切符をもらった). Pay attention and don't get distracted - (気をそらされることなく注意深くしていて).

見かけ: "Appearance". The noun '見かけ (みかけ)' means 'appearance'. It refers to the outward look or impression of something, how it presents itself to the eye. This word can be used to describe the physical characteristics or general impression of a person, object, or situation. For example: Her appearance was very elegant - (彼女の見かけはとてもエレガントでした). The house had a nice appearance from the outside - (その家の見かけは外から見てきれいでした).

見覚え: "Familiarity". The noun '見覚え (みおぼえ)' refers to familiarity, or a sense of recognition of something or someone. It is used when something seems familiar, as if you have seen or experienced it before. For example: I have a familiarity with that person - (あの人に見覚えがある). That place looks familiar - (その場所に見覚えがある).

見合い: "Marriage interview". The verbal noun '見合い (みあい)' refers to a traditional Japanese practice where a man and woman meet for the first time, often facilitated by a matchmaker, to assess compatibility for a potential marriage. It is a formal process of courtship and evaluation before deciding to get married. The '見合い' allows the couple to get to know each other, share their backgrounds and families, and determine if they are well-suited. It is an important step in the Japanese marriage process. Example: They had a marriage interview to decide if they should get married - (彼らは結婚するかどうか決めるため見合いをした).

見通し: "Prospect" or "Outlook". The noun '見通し (みとおし)' can mean 'prospect' or 'outlook'. It refers to a perspective, expectation or prediction about the future. It can be used to describe the anticipated conditions, possibilities or potential developments in various contexts like business, politics, personal life etc. For example: The company has a positive outlook for next year - (会社は来年への良い見通しを持っています). The political outlook is uncertain at the moment - (政治情勢の見通しは現時点では不透明です).

見下ろす: "Look down". The Japanese verb '見下ろす (みおろす)' means 'to look down'. This verb is used to describe the action of directing one's gaze downward, often from a higher position. It can be used to refer to literally looking down at something below, or to convey a sense of superiority or condescension. For example: From the balcony, she looked down at the people below - (バルコニーから、彼女は下の人々を見下ろした). The teacher looked down on the students who failed the test - (先生は試験に失敗した生徒たちを見下ろした).

見送る: "See off". The Japanese verb '見送る (みおくる)' means 'to see off'. This verb is used to describe the act of accompanying someone and seeing them off, often when they are leaving or departing. It can be used in situations such as seeing friends or family members off at the train station or airport. For example: I saw my friend off at the station - (私は友人を駅まで見送った). We saw the guests off after the party - (パーティー後、客人を見送った).

見習う: "Emulate". The Japanese verb '見習う (みならう)' means 'to emulate' or 'to learn from and imitate'. It is used when someone wants to model their behavior or skills after someone else who is more experienced or successful. For example: I want to emulate my elder brother - (兄を見習いたい). The young apprentice emulated the master's techniques - (弟子は師匠の技を見習った).

見当: "Guess". The noun '見当 (けんとう)' means 'guess'. It refers to an estimate or approximation made without complete information. It can be used to describe a rough idea or estimation of something. For example: I made a guess at the answer - (答えを見当つけた). It's just a guess, but I think it might be around 5,000 yen - (見当ですが、5,000円ぐらいだと思います).

見直す: "Review". The Japanese verb '見直す (みなおす)' means 'to review'. This verb is used to indicate that something is being re-examined or reconsidered. It can be applied to a wide range of situations, such as reviewing a plan, reevaluating a decision, or reassessing an opinion. For example: Let's review the plan - (計画を見直しましょう). I need to review my budget - (私は予算を見直す必要がある).

見込み: "Prospect" or "Potential". The Japanese noun '見込み (みこみ)' refers to the likelihood or possibility of something happening in the future. It can mean 'prospect' or 'potential'. For example: There are good prospects for the company's growth - (同社の成長に見込みがある). This student has a lot of potential - (この学生には大きな可能性がある).

見違える: "Mistake" or "See differently". The verb '見違える (みちがえる)' can have two meanings. The first is 'to mistake' or 'to confuse', where the subject wrongly identifies or recognizes something. For example: I mistook him for my brother - (彼を私の兄だと見違えた). The second meaning is 'to see differently', where the subject perceives something in a new or unexpected way. For example: I see her in a different light now - (私は彼女を今では見違えている).

見舞い: "Visit". The Japanese noun '見舞い (みまい)' means 'visit'. This term is used to refer to visiting someone who is ill or going through a difficult time. It implies a caring or sympathetic visit to check on their well-being. For example: I will visit my friend in the hospital - (友人の見舞いに行きます). She sent flowers as a get-well visit - (彼女は見舞いの花を送りました).

見当たる: "Find" or "Locate". The Japanese verb '見当たる (みあたる)' means 'to find' or 'to locate'. It is used to describe when someone is able to find or locate something they were searching for. It can be used for both concrete and abstract objects. For example: I can't find my keys - (私の鍵が見当たらない). The store is located down the street - (その店は通りの下にみあたる).

見直し: "Review". The noun '見直し (みなおし)' means 'review'. It refers to the act of re-examining or reconsidering something, such as a plan, a decision, or a policy, in order to make improvements or corrections. For example: Let's review the budget - (予算を見直そう). We need to review our marketing strategy - (マーケティング戦略を見直す必要がある).

見逃す: "Overlook". The Japanese verb '見逃す (みのがす)' means 'to overlook'. It is used to describe the action of failing to notice, see, or pay attention to something. This verb can be used in situations where someone misses or fails to recognize an important detail or opportunity. For example: I accidentally overlooked the deadline - (期限を見逃してしまった). Don't overlook the fine print - (細かい部分を見逃すなよ).

見比べる: "Compare". The Japanese verb '見比べる (みくらべる)' means 'to compare'. This verb is used when you want to examine two or more things side by side in order to identify similarities and differences. It implies a careful, methodical examination of the objects being compared. For example: I compared the two designs - (2つのデザインを見比べた). Let's compare the prices of these products - (これらの商品の価格を見比べましょう).

見渡す: "Survey". The verb '見渡す (みわたす)' means 'to survey' or 'to look over'. It is used to describe the action of looking or gazing over a wide area or scene. For example: She surveyed the landscape - (彼女は景色を見渡した). He surveyed the room from the doorway - (彼は入り口から部屋を見渡した).

見落とす: "Overlook". The verb '見落とす (みおとす)' means 'to overlook'. This verb is used to describe the action of failing to notice or consider something important. It implies that something significant has been missed or neglected. For example: I overlooked the important detail in the report - (私はレポートの重要な部分を見落としていた). She overlooked the key point in the discussion - (彼女はディスカッションの重要なポイントを見落としていた).

会見: "Meeting". The Japanese noun '会見 (かいけん)' means 'meeting'. This word refers to a formal gathering, usually between public figures or representatives of organizations, to discuss or announce something. 会見s often involve interactions with the press and media. For example: The president gave a press conference - (大統領は会見を行った). The minister held a meeting with the reporters - (大臣は記者団と会見した).

見抜く: "Discern" or "See through". The Japanese verb '見抜く (みぬく)' means 'to discern' or 'to see through'. This verb is used to describe the ability to perceive or understand something clearly, especially someone's true motives or intentions. It suggests the capacity to look beyond the surface and gain insight into a situation or person. For example: I could see through his lies - (彼の嘘を見抜くことができた). She discerned the truth behind his words - (彼の言葉の裏側の真実を見抜いた).

後見: "Guardianship". The noun '後見 (こうけん)' refers to the legal guardianship or custodianship of someone who is incapable of managing their own affairs, such as a minor or an elderly person. It implies a responsibility to protect and care for the person under one's guardianship. For example: The court appointed a guardian to provide 後見 for the elderly man - (裁判所は高齢者のために後見人を指定した).

拝見: "See" or "View". The Japanese verbal noun '拝見 (はいけん)' means 'to see' or 'to view'. It is used to humbly refer to the act of seeing or observing something, often in a polite or respectful way. This word is commonly used when asking to view something or when acknowledging that one has seen something. For example: May I see that? - (それを拝見してもよろしいでしょうか?). I have seen it - (拝見しました).

偏見: "Prejudice". The Japanese noun '偏見 (へんけん)' means 'prejudice'. It refers to an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially an intolerant or hostile attitude towards a particular group, race, or religion. Prejudice often stems from ignorance, stereotyping, or a lack of exposure to diverse perspectives. For example: She has a lot of prejudices against foreigners - (彼女は外国人に対して偏見が強い). Prejudice can lead to discrimination and intolerance in society - (偏見は社会における差別と偏狭につながる).

見舞う: "Visit" or "Console". The Japanese verb '見舞う (みまう)' has two main meanings. The first meaning is 'to visit', often used when visiting someone who is ill or in distress. For example: I visited my sick friend - (私は病気の友人を見舞いました). The second meaning is 'to console' or 'to sympathize with', often used when expressing condolences or trying to comfort someone. For example: I consoled my friend after their loss - (私は友人の悲しみに同情して見舞いました).

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "け" is read as "ke". The hiragana "ん" is read as "n". And The hiragana "み" is read as "mi".

Heres a quick tutorial on how to use it. You'll be asked three type of questions: meaning, reading, and writing.

For meanings questions all you have to do is type the english meaning. If there is more than one meaning, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Reading questions you have to type the reading in romaji (roman letters, our normal alphabet) and it'll be automatically converted to hiragana if necessary. If there is more than one reading, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Writing questions some options will appear and all you have to do is select the correct ones.