Japanese Conversation · Level 69
75 words
Japanese word
一見
Pronunciation
Romajiikken
Meaning
- nounlook
Example
一見しただけで、違いが分かりました。ik ken shi ta da ke de chiga i ga wa ka ri ma shi ta
I could tell the difference from just one look.
More examples
その説明は一見すると簡単そうですが、実際には複雑です。so no setsu mei wa ik ken su ru to kan tan sō de su ga jis sai ni wa fuku zatsu de su
The explanation seems simple at first glance, but it is actually complex.
Core concept
Focuses on the limited view available at the beginning of observation rather than a conclusion based on careful study.
Common phrases
一見するとik ken su ru to
at first glance
一見してik ken shi te
at a glance
一見したところik ken shi ta to ko ro
at first glance
Similar words
一目hitome: A quick view of something as a whole.
一瞥ichibetsu: A fleeting look at something.
Definition in Japanese
詳しく見たり調べたりする前に、最初に見た印象。kuwa shi ku mi ta ri shira be ta ri su ru mae ni sai sho ni mi ta in shō
Word origin
一見 (ikken) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 一 (ichi, "one") and 見 (ken, "seeing"), so its form connects one act of seeing with an initial impression.
Usage tips
- In conversation, 一見すると (ikken suru to) helps distinguish a first impression from what later investigation shows.
Related words
- 一見するikkensuruglance atverb