Japanese word

見合わせる

Pronunciation

Romajimiawaseru

Meaning

  • verbexchange glances

Example

二人は目を見合わせます。futa ri wa me o mi a wa se ma su

The two exchange glances.

Illustration for 見合わせる (exchange glances)

More examples

先生が黙って首をかしげると、生徒たちは不安そうに顔を見合わせました。sen sei ga dama tte kubi o ka shi ge ru to sei to ta chi wa fu an sō ni kao o mi a wa se ma shi ta

When the teacher silently tilted their head, the students exchanged worried glances.

Core concept

Creates a shared pause or point of contact between two sides, linking exchanged glances, comparison, and postponed action.

Common phrases

  • 目を見合わせるme o mi a wa se ru

    exchange glances

  • 顔を見合わせるkao o mi a wa se ru

    exchange looks

Similar words

見交わすmikawasu: To exchange looks in a mutual act that can occur without words.

Definition in Japanese

複数の人が互いに相手の顔を見て視線を交わすこと。fuku sū no hito ga taga i ni ai te no kao o mi te shi sen o ka wa su ko to

Word origin

The verb 見合わせる (miawaseru) is formed from 見 (mi, "seeing") and 合わせる (awaseru, "making meet"), which explains its meaning of making one's gaze meet another's.

Usage tips

  • Unlike a verbal response, this action can communicate surprise, hesitation, or agreement through a brief look between people.

Other meanings

  • postponeverb
  • compareverb

Related words

  • 見合わせmiawaseexchange of glancesnoun

Word lists with this word