Meaning
The kanji 看 (KAN) primarily means 'to watch,' 'to look at,' and 'to care for' or 'to attend to.' It blends visual observation with a sense of vigilance or responsibility. While it shares meanings with 見 (to see) and 観 (to observe), 看 often suggests a more focused, purposeful, or extended period of looking. This is especially true when it involves tending to someone or something.
Historically, 看 is an ideogrammic compound, combining two simpler components: 手 (hand) and 目 (eye). The visual composition of a 'hand' near an 'eye' strongly suggests shading one's eyes to see better, or pointing while looking. This focused observation is the root from which its meanings of 'watching over' and 'caring for' developed. It implies active engagement, not just a passive glance.
For instance, in healthcare terms like 看護 (nursing), the 'care' aspect becomes prominent, highlighting attentive watching and tending to patients. In other contexts, such as 看板 (signboard), it refers to something meant to be 'looked at' or a 'visual display.' The kanji's visual form, with the 'hand' guiding the 'eye,' effectively shows this mix of observation and attentive action.
The kanji 看 has 9 strokes and is a Grade 4 kanji in the Japanese elementary school system, meaning it's quite common for learners to encounter it early on. It's also part of the JLPT N2 curriculum, appearing frequently in intermediate-level vocabulary. Its radical, 目 (eye), is fitting given its core meaning of looking.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) for 看 is カン. This is by far the most common reading, used in nearly all compound words, especially those related to care, observation, and oversight. The カン reading often highlights a formal or systematic way of looking or attending.
看護 (kango) — nursing; care for the sick. This is a core term in medical contexts, directly signifying the act of 'watching over' and 'protecting' patients.
看護の仕事は大変です。
(Kango no shigoto wa taihen desu.)
Nursing work is tough.
看板 (kanban) — signboard; billboard. Here, 看 refers to something 'to be looked at,' or a 'visual display.' This is a very common word in everyday Japanese.
あの店の看板はとても目立ちます。
(Ano mise no kanban wa totemo medachimasu.)
That shop's signboard really stands out.
看病 (kanbyō) — nursing (an ill person); attending to a sick person. Similar to 看護, but often used for informal care at home or by family members.
母は私が熱を出したときに看病してくれました。
(Haha wa watashi ga netsu o dashita toki ni kanbyō shite kuremashita.)
My mother nursed me when I had a fever.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The main Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading) for 看 is みる. While 見 (miru) is the most common verb for 'to see,' 看る carries a more specific nuance. It implies 'to watch over' or 'to take care of' someone or something, often with a sense of responsibility or attentiveness. It's less common as a standalone verb compared to 見る, but essential for understanding specific contexts.
看る (miru) — to watch over; to care for; to nurse. This form particularly means caring for someone, especially the sick or elderly.
祖母の最期を家族みんなで看ました。
(Sobo no saigo o kazoku minna de mimashita.)
Our whole family watched over my grandmother in her final moments.
看取り (mitori) — care for the dying; attending to someone's deathbed. This term is the noun form of the kun'yomi, referring directly to watching over someone in their last moments.
病院では看取りのケアも行っています。
(Byōin de wa mitori no kea mo okonatte imasu.)
The hospital also provides end-of-life care.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 看 appears in many essential Japanese words, often related to observation, care, and display. Learning these compounds is crucial for mastering its usage.
Medical & Care-Related Terms
看護 (kango) — nursing; care for the sick or infirm.
彼女は看護の専門家です。
看護師 (kangoshi) — nurse. This is the common term for a professional nurse, directly combining 看護 with 師 (master/expert).
私の夢は看護師になることです。
看病 (kanbyō) — nursing (an ill person); tending to a sick person, often implying personal care.
友達が熱を出したので、看病しに行きました。
看取り (mitori) — care for the dying; watching over a person in their final moments.
看取りの際は心を込めて接します。
Observation & Display-Related Terms
看板 (kanban) — signboard; billboard; a store's reputation.
この店の看板メニューはラーメンです。
看板屋 (kanbanya) — sign maker; signboard shop.
新しい看板を看板屋に注文しました。
看守 (kanshu) — prison guard; jailer. Someone who 'watches over' prisoners.
刑務所の看守は厳しいです。
看視 (kanshi) — close observation; keeping an eye on. Implies a watchful eye on a situation or person, often with a specific purpose.
危険な場所では、子供をよく看視する必要がある。
(Kiken na basho de wa, kodomo o yoku kanshi suru hitsuyō ga aru.)
In dangerous places, you need to keep a close eye on children.
Figurative & Specific Observation Terms
看破 (kanpa) — seeing through (a deception); discerning the truth. To 'see through' something hidden.
彼の嘘を簡単に看破した。
看過 (kanka) — overlooking; failing to notice; condoning. To 'watch over' but fail to take action, or to disregard.
その問題を看過することはできません。
Example Sentences
祖母が病気の時、母は毎日看病しました。
Sobo ga byōki no toki, haha wa mainichi kanbyō shimashita.
When my grandmother was sick, my mother nursed her every day.
駅前の大きな看板に新しいカフェが宣伝されています。
Ekimae no ōkina kanban ni atarashii kafe ga senden sarete imasu.
A new cafe is advertised on the large signboard in front of the station.
将来は病気の人を助ける看護師になりたいです。
Shōrai wa byōki no hito o tasukeru kangoshi ni naritai desu.
In the future, I want to become a nurse who helps sick people.
彼は警察官から看守に転職しました。
Kare wa keisatsukan kara kanshu ni tenshoku shimashita.
He changed his job from a police officer to a prison guard.
看病のおかげで、私はすぐ元気になりました。
Kanbyō no okage de, watashi wa sugu genki ni narimashita.
Thanks to the nursing care, I quickly recovered.
偽物だと看破するのに時間はかからなかった。
Nisemono da to kanpa suru no ni jikan wa kakaranakatta.
It didn't take long to see through the fake.
終末期医療では、看取りのケアがとても重要です。
Shūmatsu-ki iryō de wa, mitori no kea ga totemo jūyō desu.
In end-of-life care, attending to the dying is very important.
子供たちが喧嘩しているのを先生が看過できませんでした。
Kodomo-tachi ga kenka shite iru no o sensei ga kanka dekimasen deshita.
The teacher couldn't overlook the children fighting.
彼は怪しい人物を数時間も看視していました。
Kare wa ayashii jinbutsu o sū-jikan mo kanshi shite imashita.
He kept a watch on the suspicious person for several hours.
Memory Tip
To remember 看, think of its components: 手 (hand) at the top and 目 (eye) at the bottom. Imagine someone using their 手 (hand) to shade their 目 (eye) for a clearer view of something far away. Alternatively, picture them carefully 看 (watching/looking at) someone who is ill. This gesture—using your hand to improve vision or lovingly tend to someone—perfectly embodies the meanings of 'to watch,' 'to look at intently,' and 'to care for.' It's not just passive seeing; you're actively engaging with your hand to help your eye's purpose, whether for observation or care.