Usage Explanation ①: The Two “Miru”: 見る (miru) vs 観る (miru)

First, let’s look at the two verbs both pronounced “miru.”

1. 見る (miru): The General “Look” or “See”

This is the most common verb for seeing. It means “to look,” “to see,” or “to watch.” You use it for general, everyday seeing. It means you are directing your eyes at something.

Example 1:

テレビを見る。(Terebi o miru.)

I watch TV.

Example 2:

猫（ねこ）を見た。(Neko o mita.)

I saw a cat.

Example 3:

先生（せんせい）の顔（かお）を見てください。(Sensei no kao o mite kudasai.)

Please look at the teacher’s face.

2. 観る (miru): The “Watch” for Enjoyment

This “miru” uses a different kanji: 観. It also means “to watch,” but it has a special feeling. We use 観る (miru) when we watch something for enjoyment or appreciation, like art, a movie, or a sports game. It is about paying close attention and enjoying the show.

Example 1:

映画（えいが）を観る。(Eiga o miru.)

I watch a movie (for entertainment).

Example 2:

サッカーの試合（しあい）を観た。(Sakkā no shiai o mita.)

I watched a soccer game.

Example 3:

ミュージカルを観るのが好（す）きです。(Myūjikaru o miru no ga suki desu.)

I like watching musicals.

Usage Explanation ②: Can See: 見える (mieru) vs 見られる (mirareru)

Now, let’s look at two verbs that mean “can see.” This is very important!

1. 見える (mieru): “Can See” (Naturally, in your sight)

見える (mieru) means something “is visible” or “can be seen.” You are not trying to look. The thing naturally comes into your sight.

Example 1:

ここから山（やま）が見える。(Koko kara yama ga mieru.)

I can see the mountain from here. (The mountain is visible from here.)

Example 2:

字（じ）が小（ちい）さくて、よく見えない。(Ji ga chiisakute, yoku mienai.)

The letters are small, so I can’t see (read) them well. (They are not clearly visible.)

Example 3:

あ、あそこに猫（ねこ）が見える！(A, asoko ni neko ga mieru!)

Oh, I can see a cat over there! (A cat is visible.)

2. 見られる (mirareru): “Can See” (Ability, Opportunity)

見られる (mirareru) is the potential form of 見る (miru). It means you “are able to see” or “have the chance to see” something. It implies you have the ability, permission, or opportunity to watch it.

Example 1:

この映画（えいが）は、明日（あした）まで見られる。(Kono eiga wa, ashita made mirareru.)

You can watch this movie until tomorrow. (You have the opportunity.)

Example 2:

忙（いそが）しくて、テレビが見られない。(Isogashikute, terebi ga mirarenai.)

I am busy, so I can’t watch TV. (I don’t have the time/ability.)

Example 3:

子どもは、この映画（えいが）を見られません。(Kodomo wa, kono eiga o miraremasen.)

Children cannot watch this movie. (They don’t have permission.)

Comparison: 見る vs 観る vs 見える vs 見られる

Common Mistake Examples

Mistake 1: Asking to see a movie

Wrong:

この映画を見えますか。(Kono eiga o miemasu ka?)

Correct:

この映画を見られますか。(Kono eiga o miraremasu ka?)

Why?

You are asking if you have the opportunity to see it (Is it playing?), not if the poster is visible.

Mistake 2: Cannot see the view

Wrong:

景色（けしき）が見られません。(Keshiki ga miraremasen.)

Correct:

景色（けしき）が見えません。(Keshiki ga miemasen.)

Why?

The view is not visible because of the fog. It’s not about your ability or permission to see.

Mistake 3: Talking about your hobby

A little strange:

映画を見るのが好きです。(Eiga o miru no ga suki desu.)

More natural:

映画を観るのが好きです。(Eiga o miru no ga suki desu.)

Why?

観る (miru) shows you watch movies for entertainment. 見る (miru) is not wrong, but 観る (miru) is more specific for hobbies.

Practice Quiz

Let’s try a quiz! Choose the correct verb for ______.

Q1.

昨日（きのう）、友（とも）だちと一緒（いっしょ）に歌舞伎（かぶき）を ______。

Yesterday, I ______ Kabuki with my friend.

1. 見た (mita)
2. 観た (mita)
3. 見えた (mieta)

Q2.

私の部屋（へや）から、海（うみ）が ______。

From my room, the sea ______.

1. 見える (mieru)
2. 見られる (mirareru)
3. 観る (miru)

Q3.

宿題（しゅくだい）がたくさんあるから、今夜（こんや）はアニメを ______。

I have a lot of homework, so tonight I ______ anime.

1. 見えない (mienai)
2. 見られない (mirarenai)
3. 観ない (minai)

Summary: Key Differences

How did you do on the quiz?

Today, we learned the difference between four important “seeing” verbs.

• 見る (miru): General “see” or “look.”
• 観る (miru): “Watch” for enjoyment (movies, sports).
• 見える (mieru): “Is visible” (Something is in your sight).
• 見られる (mirareru): “Can watch” (You have the ability or opportunity).

Remembering the difference between 見える (visible) and 見られる (ability) is very important. Practice using these verbs, and your Japanese will sound more natural.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I always use 見る (miru) instead of 観る (miru)?

A1: Mostly, yes. For example, 映画を見る (eiga o miru) is very common and correct. Using 観る (miru) just adds the special feeling of “watching for appreciation.” But 観る (miru) is only for things like movies, plays, sports, etc. You cannot use it for “I saw a cat.” (猫を観た is wrong).

Q2: What is the difference between 見える (mieru) and 聞こえる (kikoeru)?

A2: They are a pair! 見える (mieru) means “is visible” (can be seen). 聞こえる (kikoeru) means “is audible” (can be heard). Both are about something naturally coming to your senses.

• 山が見える。(Yama ga mieru.) – The mountain is visible.
• 音（おと）が聞こえる。(Oto ga kikoeru.) – The sound is audible (I can hear a sound).

Q3: Is 見られる (mirareru) also the passive form?

A3: Yes, you are very smart! 見られる (mirareru) can also be the passive form, meaning “to be seen (by someone).”

• (Passive): 友達（ともだち）に日記（にっき）を見られた。(Tomodachi ni nikki o mirareta.) – My diary was seen by my friend.

But today, we focused on the potential meaning (“can see”). You can understand the meaning from the sentence context.

Related Articles

• The Difference Between 「聞く」 (kiku), 「聴く」 (kiku), and 「聞こえる」 (kikoeru)
• How to Use Japanese Potential Verbs (Group 1, 2, 3)