顧みる・顧る|かえりみるkaerimiru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Which spelling to use
顧みる顧みる is the more common written form and the recommended choice for learners. It combines kanji and kana and is the usual form to write.
顧る顧る is a less common variant with an unusual kana ending after the kanji. Learners may encounter it, but should generally choose 顧みる when writing.
Definitions
  1. ichidan verb, transitive verbto look back on (the past); to reflect on; to reminisce about
  2. ichidan verb, transitive verbto look behind (at); to turn round (and look); to look over one's shoulder
  3. ichidan verb, transitive verbto consider; to concern oneself about; to take notice of; to pay attention to; to take into considerationusu. in the negative
    彼女かのじょは費用ひようを顧かえりみず家いえを飾かざりたてた。↗
    She decorated her house regardless of cost.
    顧かえりみられぬ無数むすうの漂流ひょうりゅう者しゃが家いえを求もとめてる。↗
    A hundred billion castaways are looking for a home.
Conjugation
Dictionary form顧みる(かえりみる)
Polite (masu)顧みます(かえりみます)
Negative (nai)顧みない(かえりみない)
polite (masen)顧みません(かえりみません)
classical zu / nu顧みず・顧みぬ(かえりみず・かえりみぬ)
Past (ta)顧みた(かえりみた)
polite (mashita)顧みました(かえりみました)
Past negative (nakatta)顧みなかった(かえりみなかった)
polite (masen deshita)顧みませんでした(かえりみませんでした)
Te form顧みて(かえりみて)
Potential顧みられる(かえりみられる)
Passive顧みられる(かえりみられる)
Causative顧みさせる(かえりみさせる)
Causative passive顧みさせられる(かえりみさせられる)
Conditional (ba)顧みれば(かえりみれば)
tara顧みたら(かえりみたら)
Volitional顧みよう(かえりみよう)
polite (mashou)顧みましょう(かえりみましょう)
Imperative顧みろ(かえりみろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym回顧かいこWrittenA written noun for looking back on the past, as in 「回顧録」. 「顧みる」 is a verb that stresses turning to look back, or reflecting on and caring about something.
  • Synonym回想かいそうNeutralA neutral noun for recalling the past, either with nostalgia or without it. 「顧みる」 is a verb that also covers reflecting on oneself.
  • Synonym追憶ついおくWrittenA written noun for reminiscing about the past with a wistful, sentimental tone. 「顧みる」 centers on looking back and reflecting.
  • Synonym思い返すおもいかえすCasualA colloquial verb for thinking back on the past, or for rethinking and changing one's mind. 「顧みる」 is more written and adds reflection and concern.
  • Related振り返るふりかえるNeutralThe everyday verb for turning to look behind you or for looking back on the past. 「顧みる」 is more written and can also mean caring about something.
  • Related追懐ついかいWrittenA written noun for fondly recalling people and things from the past. 「顧みる」 centers on looking back and reflecting.
  • Antonym忘れるわすれるNeutralTo forget; the opposite of 「顧みる」 only in its looking-back sense, not in its sense of caring about something.
  • Antonym無視するNeutralTo ignore or take no notice of; the opposite of 「顧みる」 in its sense of caring about something.

Use 「顧みる」, a written word, for looking back on the past, reflecting, or caring about something, as in 「歴史を顧みる」 and 「家庭を顧みない」. For physically turning to look back, say 「振り返る」; for recalling, 「回想」; for reminiscing, 「追憶」; for ignoring, 「無視する」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 振り返ふりかえって見みる。
  2. (多おおく打ち消うちけしの形かたちで)気きに掛かける。顧慮こりょする。
  3. 世話せわする。
  4. 回顧かいこする。ふりかえる。
Kanji in this word

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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