Japanese word

見入る

Pronunciation

Romajimiiru

Meaning

  • verbgaze at

Example

私は美しい絵に見入ります。watashi wa utsuku shi i e ni mi i ri ma su

I gaze at a beautiful picture.

Illustration for 見入る (gaze at)

More examples

展示室では、来館者が昔の写真に見入っています。ten ji shitsu de wa rai kan sha ga mukashi no sha shin ni mi i tte i ma su

In the exhibition room, visitors are gazing at old photographs.

Core concept

Describes looking at something so intently that attention becomes fully absorbed in it.

Common phrases

  • 絵に見入るe ni mi i ru

    gaze at a picture

  • 画面に見入るga men ni mi i ru

    gaze at the screen

  • 景色に見入るkeshiki ni mi i ru

    gaze at the scenery

Similar words

見つめるmitsumeru: To look at something with strong concentration and an unmoving gaze.
眺めるnagameru: To take in the appearance of something while looking at it calmly.
凝視するgyōshisuru: To examine something by staring at it intensely.
見とれるmitoreru: To become absorbed in the beauty or appeal of something while looking at it.

Definition in Japanese

心を奪われたように、対象をじっと見続ける。kokoro o uba wa re ta yō ni tai shō o ji tto mi tsuzu ke ru

Word origin

The verb 見入る (miiru) is formed from 見る (miru, "to look") and 入る (iru, "to enter"), with 入る indicating that attention enters a state of absorption.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often use "gaze at" for calm admiration, while "stare at" may suggest an intense or impolite look depending on the situation.

Other meanings

  • stare intently atverb
  • be absorbed inverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word