Japanese word

見舞い

Pronunciation

Romajimimai

Meaning

  • nounvisit

Example

入院した友達の見舞いに行きます。nyū in shi ta tomo dachi no mi ma i ni i ki ma su

I will visit my friend who is in the hospital.

Illustration for 見舞い (visit)

More examples

入院した先生に、見舞いの言葉を伝えました。nyū in shi ta sen sei ni mi ma i no koto ba o tsuta e ma shi ta

I offered words of sympathy to my teacher who was in the hospital.

Core concept

Centers on going to see someone in need of care, with the visit expressing concern rather than serving only a social purpose.

Common phrases

  • 見舞いに行くmi ma i ni i ku

    go to visit someone

  • 見舞いの品mi ma i no shina

    get-well gift

Similar words

面会menkai: A meeting or visit with someone in a hospital or other care setting.

Definition in Japanese

病気やけがをした人のもとを訪れ、いたわること。byō ki ya ke ga o shi ta hito no mo to o otozu re i ta wa ru ko to

Word origin

見舞い (mimai) comes from the noun form of 見舞う (mimau, "visit and check on someone"); the verb came to mean visiting someone to see how that person was doing.

Usage tips

  • The Japanese word 見舞い (mimai) is used for both a health-related visit and the customary gift given during such a visit, linking the act with its expression of care.

Other meanings

  • sympathynoun
  • health inquirynoun

Word lists with this word