What does 見 mean in Japanese?
見 means “see, look, view” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 見る (to see; to look), 見える (to be visible), and 見学 (observation visit).
For learners, the key is to study 見 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: ケン (ken)
Kun’yomi: み-る (mi-ru), み-える (mi-eru)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 見 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | see, look, show |
| Stroke Count | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
How to Understand This Kanji
見 is not limited to one English translation. In 見る (みる), it means to see; to look; in 見える (みえる), it points to to be visible; and in 見学 (けんがく), it is used for observation visit. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 見る（みる / miru） — to see; to look
- 見える（みえる / mieru） — to be visible
- 見学（けんがく / kengaku） — observation visit
- 意見（いけん / iken） — opinion
- 花見（はなみ / hanami） — cherry blossom viewing
- 見方（みかた / mikata） — way of looking; viewpoint
Example Sentences
-
今日は映画を見ます。
きょうはえいがをみます。 / Kyō wa eiga o mimasu.
I will watch a movie today.
-
遠くの山が見えます。
とおくのやまがみえます。 / Tōku no yama ga miemasu.
I can see a mountain in the distance.
-
学校を見学しました。
がっこうをけんがくしました。 / Gakkō o kengaku shimashita.
I visited the school for observation.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 見る (みる / miru) because it keeps the core meaning of 見 clear. Then add 見える and 見学 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 見 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
見 means “see, look, view” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 見る, 見える, and 見学.