Japanese word

見かける

Pronunciation

Romajimikakeru

Meaning

  • verbsee

Example

駅で先生を見かけました。eki de sen sei o mi ka ke ma shi ta

I saw my teacher at the station.

Illustration for 見かける (see)

More examples

この公園では、春になると珍しい鳥をよく見かけます。ko no kō en de wa haru ni na ru to mezura shi i tori o yo ku mi ka ke ma su

In this park, I often see unusual birds when spring comes.

Core concept

Refers to catching sight of someone or something without making it the focus of one's attention.

Common phrases

  • 人を見かけるhito o mi ka ke ru

    see someone

Similar words

目にするmenisuru: To catch sight of someone or something, usually briefly and unexpectedly.
見るmiru: To direct the eyes toward someone or something and notice or examine it.

Definition in Japanese

人や物を、たまたま目にする。hito ya mono o ta ma ta ma me ni su ru

Word origin

The Japanese verb 見かける (mikakeru) joins 見る (miru, "see") with the auxiliary 掛ける (kakeru), which indicates the start of an action and contributes the sense of noticing.

Usage tips

  • A natural use of the word presents a brief, accidental encounter, so it frequently occurs with a place or time that identifies where the sighting happened.

Other meanings

  • catch sight ofverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word