How to say "admire" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 憧れるあこがれるichidan verb, intransitive verbCovers admiring in the sense of longing for or being attracted by someone or something, such as a person you look up to or a life you yearn for. It implies aspiration rather than mere appreciation.
- 眺めるながめるichidan verb, transitive verbUsed for admire in the sense of looking out over or taking in a view, especially scenery. If your object is a landscape or a scene you gaze at with pleasure, this is the natural choice.
- 見上げるみあげるichidan verb, transitive verbCovers admire in the sense of looking up to and respecting someone, a person whose qualities or achievements inspire respect. Suited to admiring a senior figure, mentor, or role model.
- 哀れむあわれむgodan verb, transitive verbGlossed as enjoying the beauty of or appreciating, but tagged as a poetical term, so it is seldom the word you want for everyday admire; it belongs to literary, aesthetic appreciation.
- 惚れるほれるichidan verb, intransitive verbCovers admire in the sense of being charmed, captivated, or impressed by someone or something, often with emotional attraction. Closer to being smitten or won over than to respectful admiration.
Use 「憧れる」 for yearning toward a person or ideal, 「眺める」 for viewing scenery, 「見上げる」 for respectful admiration, and note that 「哀れむ」 is poetical; 「惚れる」 covers being charmed or captivated.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
