“To see” in Japanese is 見る (みる), pronounced miru.
Pronunciation
The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To see, look at or watch. You “see” films and TV too: 映画を見る.
Example sentences
- テレビを見ます。テレビをみます。I watch TV.
- 見てください。みてください。Please look.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 見る. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 見る みる | see |
| Polite present | 見ます みます | see |
| Polite negative | 見ません みません | don’t see |
| Polite past | 見ました みました | past of “see” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 見ない みない | don’t see (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 見た みた | past of “see” (casual) |
| て-form | 見て みて | see and… / please see (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 見たい みたい | want to see |
Quick practice
Test yourself0/3
What does {{見る}} mean?
How do you read {{見る}}?
Which word means “to listen”?
Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to see in Japanese?
To see in Japanese is 見る (みる), pronounced “miru”.
How do you write to see in Japanese?
It's written 見る with kanji, or みる in hiragana. Both are read miru.
Is 見る on the JLPT?
Yes. 見る (miru) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.