Japanese word

顧みる

Pronunciation

Romajikaerimiru

Meaning

  • verblook back on

Example

過去を顧みます。ka ko o kaeri mi ma su

I look back on the past.

Illustration for 顧みる (look back on)

More examples

節目ごとにこれまでの歩みを顧みます。fushi me go to ni ko re ma de no ayu mi o kaeri mi ma su

At each turning point, I look back on my journey so far.

Core concept

It involves revisiting earlier events in thought and considering what they mean now.

Common phrases

  • 過去を顧みるka ko o kaeri mi ru

    look back on the past

  • 来し方を顧みるko shi kata o kaeri mi ru

    reflect on one's past

  • 自らを顧みるmizuka ra o kaeri mi ru

    reflect on oneself

Similar words

振り返るfurikaeru: To look back on past events or experiences, often in an everyday context.
思い返すomoikaesu: To remember and mentally revisit something that happened in the past.
回顧するkaikosuru: To examine past events or a period of history in a formal way.

Definition in Japanese

過去の出来事を思い返し、その意味や経験について考えること。ka ko no de ki goto o omo i kae shi so no i mi ya kei ken ni tsu i te kanga e ru ko to

Word origin

顧みる (kaerimiru) is a native Japanese compound of 返り (kaeri, "returning") and 見る (miru, "seeing"), which together suggest looking back.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 過去を顧みる (kako o kaerimiru) is common in serious writing, while everyday speech more often uses 過去を振り返る (kako o furikaeru).

Other meanings

  • reflect onverb
  • reminisce aboutverb

Related words

  • 顧みkaerimireflectionnoun

Word lists with this word