Japanese word

見渡す

Pronunciation

Romajimiwatasu

Meaning

  • verblook out over

Example

丘から町を見渡します。oka ka ra machi o mi wata shi ma su

I look out over the town from the hill.

Illustration for 見渡す (look out over)

More examples

展望台から青い海を見渡せます。ten bō dai ka ra ao i umi o mi wata se ma su

You can look out over the blue sea from the observation deck.

Core concept

Expresses surveying a wide space from one position rather than focusing on a single nearby object.

Common phrases

  • 海を見渡すumi o mi wata su

    look out over the sea

  • 四方を見渡すshi hō o mi wata su

    look around in all directions

  • 一帯を見渡すit tai o mi wata su

    survey the area

Similar words

見回すmimawasu: To look around an area in several directions.
眺めるnagameru: To look at something steadily for a while.
一望するichibōsuru: To see a whole area at once from a high or distant place.
見晴らすmiharasu: To have a clear view across a wide area from a high place.

Definition in Japanese

一つの物だけでなく、周囲の広い範囲を見て、全体の様子を把握する。hito tsu no mono da ke de na ku shū i no hiro i han i o mi te zen tai no yō su o ha aku su ru

Word origin

見渡す (miwatasu) is formed from 見る (miru, "see") and 渡す (watasu, "extend across"), linking seeing with coverage of a broad area.

Usage tips

  • 見渡す (miwatasu) often takes を (o) for the area being surveyed, while 見える (mieru, "be visible") describes visibility without presenting an intentional observer.

Other meanings

  • surveyverb

Related words

  • 見渡しmiwatashiviewnoun

Word lists with this word