JLPT N2 Vocabulary – Difference between “見込み” and “見通し”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “見込みこみ” and “見通みとおし”
2. 見込みこみ
3. 見通みとおし
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: What is the difference between “見込みこみ” and “見通みとおし”?

A: These two terms are used when you want to express speculation about the future, but there is a slight difference in their meanings. Simply put, “見込みこみ” is a speculation with weak grounds, while “見通みとおし” is a speculation with strong grounds.

見込みこみ (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
① A speculation that “it will probably be that way in the future”
② A hope or expectation that “it will be that way in the future”

[Points]
It often refers to specific and short-term expectations or predictions. Additionally, it can be used not only for events or situations but also for people.

[Examples]
この計画けいかくは成功せいこうする見込みこみです。（①）
This plan is expected to succeed.
⇒ It indicates that the plan is likely to succeed.

彼女かのじょは見込みこみのある人ひとです。（②）
She is a promising person.
⇒ It suggests that she will contribute to the company or eventually demonstrate her talent.

見通みとおし (JLPT N2)

[Meanings]
① The ability to predict what will happen in the future
② Being able to see far into the distance without any obstructions

[Points]
It expresses not only the outcome of what the future or a certain situation will be based on the current situation but also a confident speculation based on the process and conditions leading to that future. Unlike “見込みこみ,” this term often refers to broad and long-term predictions or views. Additionally, it can also be used for people.

[Examples]
来年らいねんの経済けいざいの見通みとおしは明あかるいです。(①)
The economic outlook for next year is bright.
⇒ It involves predicting the future while considering past events.
Since “economy” is an area with abundant data, predictions can be made with grounds and confidence.

彼かれらの将来しょうらいの見通みとおしは非常ひじょうに良よいです。(①)
Their future prospects are very good.
⇒ It indicates that, based on the current situation, they are likely to succeed or produce good results.

会社かいしゃはビルの30階かいにあるので、見通みとおしがいいです。(②)
Since my office is located on the 30th floor of the building, it has a great view.

In a similar sense to ②, “見通みとおし” can also be used to describe people, as in “I can see right through whatever you do.” In this case, it means “I can perceive what you do as if it were visible.”
However, be careful, as this expression is used by superiors when addressing subordinates.

[Example]　
先輩せんぱい「このゴミ、捨すててないの山田やまだ君くんでしょ。」
山田やまだ「あ、すみません。ぼくです。どうしてわかったんですか。」
先輩せんぱい「山田やまだ君くんと何なん年ねん働はたらいてると思おもってるの？何なんでもお見通みとおしだよ。」
Senior: “Yamada, you’re the one who didn’t throw away this trash, right?”
Yamada: “Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, it’s me. How did you know?”
Senior: “How many years do you think I’ve been working with you? I can see through everything.”

Let’s Compare

[見込みこみ]

Let’s delve deeper into the meaning:
・Making a rough estimate about something that is not clear.
・Predicting or considering the development and outcome of things in advance.

In other words, “見込みこみ” does not involve solid results or assumptions leading to those results.

There are fixed expressions such as “見込みこみ (が)ある・ない” (to have or not have prospects), “見込みこみあり／なし” (having or not having prospects), and “～の見込みこみが高たかい／低ひくい” (high/low prospects of ~). These expressions convey a nuance of having expectations for good results or success.　

[Examples]
この企画きかくは成功せいこうする見込みこみが高たかいです。
This project has a high likelihood of success.
　　　　　
A「この計画けいかくは見込みこみあり？なし？」
B「今いまのところ見込みこみはなさそうですけど」
A: “Does this plan have potential?”
B: “It doesn’t seem promising at the moment.”

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[見通みとおし]

This term is often used in expressions such as “見通みとおしを立たてる” (to establish an outlook) and “見通みとおしをつける” (to foresee), indicating the act of predicting future developments while considering the current situation, and planning or preparing based on that prediction.

Other usages include “〜見通みとおしである” (it is foreseen that ~), “今後こんごの見通みとおし” (outlook for the future), and “将来しょうらいの見通みとおし” (future outlook), which involve making plans and judgments based on predictions about how the future will unfold.
It is often used together with words like “明あかるい” (bright), “いい” (good), “危あぶない” (dangerous), and “甘あまい” (optimistic).

[Examples]
山田やまださん、見通みとおしを立たてて計画けいかくしないと失敗しっぱいしますよ。
Mr. Yamada, if you don’t plan with a clear outlook, you will fail.
　　　　　　
彼女かのじょの見通みとおしは甘あまいと思おもいます。
I think her outlook is too optimistic.
　　　　　　
この業界ぎょうかいの将来しょうらいの見通みとおしは明あかるいと考かんがえられています。
The outlook for the future of this industry is considered bright.
　　　　　
このまま計画けいかくがうまく進すすめば成功せいこうする見通みとおしです。
If the plan progresses smoothly, the outlook for success is good.

Summary

[見込みこみ]

• A prediction about the future based on low-level evidence. It includes feelings of hope and expectation.
• Often refers to specific, short-term expectations or forecasts.

[見通みとおし]

• A prediction about the future based not only on the current situation but also on the process and conditions leading to it, made with confidence.
• Often refers to broad, long-term forecasts or perspectives.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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