観|かんkan[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noun, noun (suffix)look; appearance
2. noun, noun (suffix)spectacle; sight
3. noun, noun (suffix), Buddhismobservation meditation
4. noun (suffix)outlook on ...; view of ...
   これがアメリカ人あめりかじんから見みた日本にっぽん観かんです。↗

   This is Japan as Americans see it.

• Synonym外見がいけんNeutralOutward appearance, as in 「外見で判断する」; leans toward how something looks, while 「観」 is mostly a suffix, as in 「人生観」.
• Synonym見た目みためCasualColloquial word for how something looks, as in 「見た目がいい」; leans toward the immediate visual impression.
• Related顔つきかおつきNeutralFacial features and expression, as in 「険しい顔つき」; leans toward expression, which 「観」 does not cover.
• Related格好かっこうNeutralHow someone or something looks, as in 「変な格好」; leans toward outward form and dress.
• Related装いよそおいWrittenWritten word for dress or outfitting, as in 「春の装い」; carries an elegant tone.
• Related面持ちおももちWrittenWritten word for an expression that betrays a feeling, as in 「不安な面持ち」; leans toward facial expression.
• Related見せ掛けみせかけNeutralA false front or pretense, as in 「見せかけの優しさ」; carries a negative nuance of mere show.
• Related顔かおNeutralThe everyday word for face; the most common of these. Overlaps with 「観」 only in the sense of outward appearance.
• Related姿すがたNeutralFigure or silhouette, as in 「後ろ姿」; leans toward the shape and form of the body.
• Related表情ひょうじょうNeutralFacial expression; leans toward emotion showing in the face, a sense 「観」 does not have.
• Related様相ようそうWrittenWritten word for how a situation looks, as in 「混乱の様相を呈する」; leans toward the state of affairs, not visual appearance.
• Related顔色かおいろNeutralComplexion or the color of one's face, as in 「顔色が悪い」; leans toward health or mood showing in the face.
• Related形状けいじょうWrittenWritten word for shape or form; leans toward geometric outline.
• Related形相ぎょうそうWrittenWritten word for a frightening face, as in 「鬼の形相」; leans toward an angry, contorted expression.
• Related身なりみなりNeutralHow one is dressed, as in 「身なりを整える」; leans toward clothing and grooming.
• Related血相けっそうWrittenWritten word for one's look, as in 「血相を変える」; leans toward a face visibly changed by strong emotion.
• Related面構えつらがまえNeutralOne's facial features or cast, often with a fierce, intimidating feel, as in 「不敵な面構え」.
• Related風体ふうていWrittenWritten word for a person's overall look, dress included, as in 「怪しい風体の男」; applies to people, while 「観」 is not limited to them.
• Related風采ふうさいWrittenWritten word for one's bearing or personal appearance, as in 「風采が上がらない」; leans toward overall air and presence.
• Related相貌そうぼうWrittenWritten word for a person's looks or features; leans toward the face itself, not dress.
• Related目色めいろWrittenWritten word for the look in one's eyes; rare in modern usage.
• Related面体めんていWrittenWritten word for one's face or looks; rare in modern usage.

「観」 is mostly used as a suffix for a spectacle or a way of seeing things, as in 「壮観」「人生観」「〜の観がある」. For plain outward appearance pick 「外見」 or colloquial 「見た目」; for how someone is dressed pick 「格好」; for facial expression pick 「表情」. For the face and its looks use 「顔」 or 「顔つき」, for the figure 「姿」, for complexion 「顔色」, and for how a situation stands 「様相」. The written words 「装い」「面持ち」「形相」「血相」「風体」「風采」「相貌」 and the rare 「目色」「面体」 belong to formal prose.

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

1. （カン）ものの見え方みえかた。見みえる様子ようす。
2. （カン）景色けしき。光景こうけい。
3. （カン）ものの見方みかた、もとは仏教ぶっきょうにおけるものを言いったが、現在げんざいでは、広ひろくある思想しそう体系たいけいに基もとづくものを言ゆう。