How to say "look" in Japanese

• みるJLPT N5approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbThe basic verb for directing your eyes at something: to look (at), watch, or view. When you want to say 'look at' in a plain sentence, this is usually the word you need.
  １０ページの５行ぎょう目めをみなさい。↗

  Let's begin with the fifth line on page 10.
• 観かんJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)Names the look or appearance of a thing — its outward aspect — rather than the act of looking; on its own it is seldom the word you want for saying 'look'.
• 一覧いちらんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA look at something as a whole — taking it in at a glance rather than examining one part; the emphasis is on an overall view, not on any single detail.
• 向くむくJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbBasically to turn or face toward something; its 'look' sense concerns the direction the face or gaze turns — looking up, down, or aside — rather than the act of looking itself.
  私の方ほうを向むいてください。↗

  Turn toward me, please.
• 一目ひとめCommon
  nounA noun for a single, quick look — a glance or glimpse of something; it suggests brevity, catching something in one look rather than watching it over time.

For the verb 'look', 「みる」 is the default choice; 一目 is a quick glance or glimpse, 一覧 a look over something as a whole, 「向く」 the gaze turning up or down, and 観 only a thing's appearance.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• みるto see
• 観かんlook
• 一覧いちらんlook
• 向くむくto turn toward
• 一目ひとめglance
• 一見いっけんlook
• ルックlook
• 目つきめつきlook (in someone's eyes)
• 眼差しまなざし(a) look
• 形相ぎょうそうlook (esp. an angry or upset look)
• 面持ちおももちexpression
• 見た目みためappearance
• ご覧になるごらんになるto see
• 視線しせんone's line of sight
• 一目いちもくlook
• ビジュlook (of a person, esp. an idol)
• ちょっと見ちょっとみlook
• 風体ふうていappearance
• 面構えつらがまえ(facial) expression (esp. fierce, fearless, sinister, etc.)
• 見場みばappearance
• 目顔めがおsignal
• 相そうaspect
• 面付きつらつきexpression (on one's face)
• ご覧なさるごらんなさるto see
• 目面めづらface and eyes
• 概がいappearance
• ご覧じるごろうじるto see
• 佇まいたたずまいappearance
• これhey
• ごらんなさい(please) look
• めlook
• 見えるみえるto look
• 色いろlook (on one's face)
• 顔かおlook
• なhey
• 表情ひょうじょうlook
• 様子ようすappearance
• 顔色かおいろcountenance
• 面目めんぼくappearance
• ねhey
• 色合いいろあいflavour
• 色しょく(outward) appearance
• 目差しめざしlook
• ごらん(please) look
• 看板かんばんappearance
• とするto feel (e.g. after sound symbolism or psychological experience word)