Word
拝見
Meaning in Englishhumble seeing, respectful looking
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
拝見 means to humbly see or view something, typically used by the speaker to show respect when reading or examining someone else's materials.
Main meanings
- to view something with humility, especially when receiving documents or messages
- forms such as 資料を拝見します or 拝見しました indicate that the speaker will or has looked at the material with respect
- the noun 拝見 refers to the act of viewing in a respectful context
How to use it
Used in formal contexts to acknowledge receipt or review of materials; common in business emails, proposals, reports; often used with phrases like 資料を拝見します and 資料を拝見しました.
Variants and close terms
- 拝読 (haidoku) — polite reading
- 拝聴 (haichō) — polite listening
- ご覧になる (goran ni naru) — a more general respectful way to say 'look at'
Composition
- 拝 — humble prefix derived from bowing; used to show respect
- 見 — the verb 'to see'; combined with 拝 to express humble viewing
Etymology
拝 (hai) and 見 (ken) are the on-reading components; the compound haiken is formed by combining the humble prefix 拝 with the verb 見る to mean viewing with reverence.
Origin
Keigo developed in classical and early modern Japan; 拝見 emerged as a polite way to refer to the act of looking at someone else's materials in formal contexts such as letters and business communication.
Word class
Noun (suru-verb)
Related words by kanji and components
N1
見合わせる
miawaseru
to exchange glances; to postpone
N1
見落とす
miotosu
to overlook, to fail to notice
N1
見苦しい
migurushii
unsightly, ugly
N1
見込み
mikomi
prospects, expectation, hope
N1
見せびらかす
misebirakasu
to show off, to flaunt
N1
見せ物
misemono
show, exhibition
N1
見積もり
mitsumori
estimation, quotation
N1
見通し
mitooshi
perspective, unobstructed view, prospect
N1
見なす
minasu
to consider as, to regard