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
N2
見上げる
miageru
to look up at, to admire
N2
見送る
miokuru
to see off; to escort; to let pass
N2
見下ろす
miorosu
to overlook, to look down on something
N2
見掛け
mikake
outward appearance
N2
見出し
midashi
heading, index
N2
見詰める
mitsumeru
to stare at, to gaze at
N2
見直す
minaosu
to look over again, to review
N2
見慣れる
minareru
to become used to seeing, to be familiar with
N2
見本
mihon
sample