In Japanese, which verb should you use to say “to see my friend”?

“to see” is 見る in Japanese, but if you use 見る to “to see my friend”,  it means ” I just saw my friend’s face, without even saying hello”.

If you greet your friend, do not use 見る.

[Unnatural sentence]

 

友達(ともだち)を見(み)たあとで、家(いえ)に帰(かえ)ります。

-ともだちをみたあとで、いえにかえります。

-I’m going home after meeting my friend.

 

Can you find a mistake?

 

▼

▼

▼

 

[Sensei’s correction]

 

友達を見たあとで、家に帰ります。

→友達に会(あ)ったあとで、家に帰ります。

 

友達を見た→ ◎友達に会った

Use 会う(see, meet) because you put it in your schedule to talk to your friend.

 

＜見る or 会う＞

[someone]を見る
＝見るだけ、あいさつもしない
Just see the person’s face, no greeting, no conversation

[someone]に会う
＝あいさつして話(はな)す
Say hello and talk to the person

 

So…

when do we use 見る?

e.g.
友達をパーティーで見かけた。

I saw my friend at a party.

友達のテニスの試合を見に行った。

I went to see a friend’s tennis match.

友達の車(くるま)を見た。

I saw my friend’s car.

 

 

—————————

Did my explanation enhance your understanding?

 

見るand 会う are JLPT N5 (Elementary level) verbs.

Even if you are more advanced, you have strengthened your Japanese by reviewing it in my video.

Beginner you, you’ve learned a new difficult word today!😊

 

Are you not sure where your Japanese level is?

Take my JLPT level quiz to know exactly where your Japanese journey begins.