Japanese word

見比べる

Pronunciation

Romajimikuraberu

Meaning

  • verbcompare

Example

二つの絵を見比べます。futa tsu no e o mi kura be ma su

I compare the two pictures.

Illustration for 見比べる (compare)

More examples

色や形を見比べて、好きな方を選びます。iro ya katachi o mi kura be te su ki na hō o era bi ma su

I compare the colors and shapes, then choose the one I like.

Core concept

Describes examining two or more things side by side to notice how they are alike or different.

Common phrases

  • 左右を見比べるsa yū o mi kura be ru

    compare the left and right

  • 表と裏を見比べるhyō to ura o mi kura be ru

    compare the front and back

Similar words

比べるkuraberu: To look at two or more things and examine their similarities or differences.
比較するhikakusuru: To study two or more things in order to identify their similarities and differences.
照らし合わせるterashiawaseru: To examine information alongside another source to check whether it agrees.

Definition in Japanese

二つ以上のものを実際に見て、違いや共通点を比べる。futa tsu i jō no mo no o jis sai ni mi te chiga i ya kyō tsū ten o kura be ru

Word origin

The verb 見比べる (mikuraberu) combines 見る (miru, "see") and 比べる (kuraberu, "compare"), indicating comparison made by looking.

Usage tips

  • When a witness checks two photographs for the same detail, 見比べる (mikuraberu) highlights looking back and forth rather than merely saying that the photographs differ.

Other meanings

  • contrastverb

Related words

  • 見比べ方mikurabekataway of comparingnoun

Word lists with this word