Difference between “見損なう” and “見限る”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “見損なう” and “見限る”
2. 見損なう
3. 見限る
4. Let’ s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: What is the difference between ”見損なう” and ”見限る”?
A: ”見損なう” has a strong emotional nuance, such as disappointment or misjudgment, while ”見限る” expresses a rational decision to judge that there is no potential and to end a relationship or support.
見損なう
[Meaning]
① To missee or mistake something
② To misjudge the value or character of a person or thing
③ To miss the opportunity to see something you wanted to see
[Examples]
番号を見損なって違う会社に電話をしてしまいました。（①）
I misread the number and ended up calling the wrong company.
こんな失敗をするなんて、見損なったよ。（②）
I’m disappointed in you for making such a mistake.
忙しくて行きたかった展覧会を見損ないました。（③）
I was so busy that I missed the exhibition I had wanted to see.
① and ② both carry the nuance of “seeing a person or thing incorrectly,” but the nuance differs depending on the target.
① When referring to an object: Expresses a simple misreading or mistake.
[Examples]
書類のページ数を見損なって、一枚足りないまま提出してしまいました。
I misread the number of pages in the document and submitted it missing one page.
急いでいてバスの番号を見損なって、違う路線に乗ってしまいました。
I was in a hurry and misread the bus number, so I ended up taking the wrong route.
② When referring to a person: Means misjudging someone’s character, often with feelings of disappointment or disillusionment.
[Examples]
そんなひどいことを言うなんて、君を見損なったよ。
I’m disappointed in you for saying something so awful.
誠実な人だと思っていたのに、あんな嘘をつくなんて見損ないました。
I thought you were an honest person, but I was wrong when you told such a lie.
③ When referring to something you want to see: Expresses missing the opportunity to see it.
[Examples]
会期が昨日までだとは知らずに、展覧会を見損ないました。
I didn’t know the exhibition ended yesterday, so I missed it.
この映画は映画館で見たかったのに、タイミングが合わず見損なってしまったよ。
I really wanted to see this movie in the theater, but I missed it because the timing didn’t work out.
見限る
[Meaning]
To judge that there is no further potential and give up
[Examples]
親友の態度に耐え切れず、見限ることにしました。
I could no longer tolerate my best friend’s attitude, so I decided to cut ties with them.
失敗続きで先輩に見限られてしまったようです。
It seems I’ve been given up on by my senior after a series of failures.
It is used when judging that there is no longer any potential in a person or thing (such as a company or organization) and ending expectations, relationships, or support. It carries not only an emotional sense of disappointment but also a nuance of rational judgment or decision.
[Examples]
会社の経営方針に失望して、多くの社員が会社を見限りました。
Disappointed by the company’s management policy, many employees decided to give up on the company.
努力しても改善されない状況を見て、私はこのプロジェクトを見限ることにしました。
Seeing that the situation would not improve despite my efforts, I decided to abandon this project.
Let’s Compare
Let’s consider the difference in the following cases:
[Example]
①何度も裏切られて、彼を見損ないました。
②何度も裏切られて、彼を見限りました。
① expresses disappointment or shock toward the other person.
② expresses the decision that the person can no longer be trusted and the relationship has been ended.
”見損なう” has a strong emotional or psychological aspect, mainly indicating feelings of disappointment or shock.
In contrast, ”見限る” includes not only the emotional aspect but also a rational judgment or decision, carrying the nuance of actually taking action to end the relationship.
Summary
[見損なう]
- ① A simple case of misreading or mistaking an object.
- ② Misjudging a person’s character, often involving feelings of disappointment or disillusionment.
- ③ Missing the opportunity to see something you wanted to see.
[見限る]
- Indicates judging that there is no potential in a person or thing (such as a company or organization) and ending expectations, relationships, or support.
- When referring to the evaluation of a person, ”見損なう” strongly conveys an emotional or psychological aspect, such as disappointment or shock, while ”見限る” shows a rational decision to cut off the relationship.
Similer Articles
- Must-Know for Foreigners Working in Japan: Do You Really Need a Hanko (Personal Seal)?
- Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English②
- Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English①
- Learning the Forms of Japanese from Classical Literature
- Idioms Using “頭” ② – Useful in Everyday Conversations
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