Japanese word

拝見

Pronunciation

Romajihaiken

Meaning

  • nounsee

Example

お写真を拝見しました。o sha shin o hai ken shi ma shi ta

I saw your photo.

Illustration for 拝見 (see)

More examples

先ほどメールを拝見しました。saki ho do mē ru o hai ken shi ma shi ta

I read your email earlier.

Core concept

Presents the speaker's act of looking as humble and respectful toward the person connected with what is seen.

Common phrases

  • メールを拝見するmē ru o hai ken su ru

    read an email

Similar words

閲覧etsuran: The act of examining written or digital material by reading or looking through it.

Definition in Japanese

見ることを相手への敬意を込めてへりくだって表す語。mi ru ko to o ai te e no kei i o ko me te he ri ku da tte arawa su go

Word origin

拝見 (haiken) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 拝 (hai, "pay respects") and 見 (ken, "see"), linking the act of seeing with humility toward another person.

Usage tips

  • The polite phrase 拝見する (haiken suru) is common when referring respectfully to viewing someone else's photo, document, or other material.

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