Meaning and Usage
The verb 見渡す (みわたす) means to look out over a wide area or to survey a scene extensively. It often implies a broad, panoramic view, whether physically looking across a landscape or figuratively scanning a space.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see 見渡す used when describing views from high places like mountains, buildings, or balconies. It can also be used when someone scans a room or area to check for people or objects.
Collocations and Patterns
- 見渡す限り (みわたすかぎり): "as far as the eye can see" — emphasizes the vastness of the view.
- 部屋を見渡す: to look around a room — often to check the presence or absence of people or things.
- 会場を見渡す: to survey a venue — useful in event or crowd descriptions.
Register and Nuance
見渡す is a neutral to slightly formal verb, suitable for written and spoken Japanese. It conveys a sense of thoroughness and breadth in observation.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 見渡す with 見る (to see) or 見える (to be visible). 見渡す specifically involves actively looking over a wide area, not just seeing something passively. To avoid confusion, remember 見渡す implies a deliberate, broad survey.