When someone is sick or recovering, it's polite to go and see them. In Japanese, the verb for this action is 見舞う (mimau). It specifically means to visit someone who is ill or in a difficult situation, showing your concern and support.
You can use it when talking about visiting a friend in the hospital, or even someone who is at home recovering from an illness. It's a kind gesture to show you care. Remember, it's not just about visiting, but about expressing sympathy.
When someone is sick or recovering, it's customary to go and see them. In Japanese, we use the verb 見舞う (mimau) for this action. It specifically means to visit someone who is ill or in a difficult situation, showing your care and concern. You might bring them a small gift or just spend time with them to cheer them up. So, when you hear 見舞う, think of visiting someone to offer comfort and support during a tough time.
When someone is sick or recovering from an injury, it's customary in Japan to go and visit them. The verb for this action is 見舞う (mimau). You use it when you specifically go to see someone because they are unwell or have been in an accident.
It's more formal than just 'to visit' and carries the nuance of offering comfort and support during a difficult time. For example, if your friend is in the hospital, you would use 見舞う to talk about going to see them.
When someone is unwell in Japan, it's customary to go and see them, offering words of encouragement and perhaps a small gift. This act of visiting a sick person is called 見舞う (mimau). It’s an important part of showing care and concern for friends, family, and even colleagues. This verb specifically refers to visiting someone who is ill or has been in an accident, rather than a general social visit. You might also hear it used in the context of visiting a disaster-stricken area to offer condolences and support.
When someone is sick or recovering from an injury, it's customary in Japan to go and visit them. This act of visiting a sick person is called 見舞う (mimau). You might hear phrases like 友達が入院したので見舞いに行った (Tomodachi ga nyūin shita node mimai ni itta), meaning "My friend was hospitalized, so I went to visit them." It's a way to show you care and offer support during a difficult time.
When someone is unwell in Japan, it's customary to go and see them, offering words of encouragement and perhaps a small gift. This act of visiting is called 見舞う (mimau). It's a way to show you care and wish them a speedy recovery. You might hear phrases like 「お見舞いに行く」 (omimai ni iku), which literally means "to go to visit someone who is ill." It's a significant part of Japanese social etiquette, demonstrating empathy and community support.
見舞う in 30 Seconds
- visit sick person
- show sympathy
- offer comfort
§ What does 見舞う (mimau) mean?
The Japanese verb 見舞う (mimau) directly translates to 'to visit' or 'to inquire after someone's health'. However, its usage is quite specific. It's almost exclusively used when visiting someone who is ill, injured, or has experienced a disaster or misfortune. Think of it as 'to pay a sick visit' or 'to offer condolences/sympathy to someone in distress'. You wouldn't use 見舞う to simply visit a friend for a casual chat or to visit a tourist spot. It carries a nuance of showing concern and offering support during a difficult time.
This verb is a key part of showing empathy and social etiquette in Japanese culture. When someone is going through a tough time, extending your support through a visit is often highly valued. Using 見舞う correctly demonstrates your understanding of this cultural aspect.
§ When do people use 見舞う (mimau)?
You'll primarily use 見舞う in situations where you are expressing concern for someone's well-being due to illness, injury, or misfortune. Here are the common scenarios:
- Visiting someone in the hospital: This is the most common use. If a friend, family member, or colleague is hospitalized, you would 見舞う them.
- Visiting someone recuperating at home: Even if they're not in the hospital but are sick or injured and recovering at home, you can use 見舞う.
- Offering condolences after a disaster: In cases of natural disasters like earthquakes or typhoons, people who go to check on victims or offer aid might use this verb to describe their actions.
- Expressing sympathy in a general sense: While less common than a direct visit, you might hear or use phrases related to 見舞う to express general sympathy or concern for someone's difficult situation.
It's important to remember that 見舞う is not for everyday visits. If you're just going to hang out with a healthy friend, you'd use a more general verb like 会う (au - to meet) or 訪ねる (tazuneru - to visit, more formal and general). The 'sick' or 'misfortune' component is crucial for 見舞う.
§ Examples of 見舞う (mimau) in use
- DEFINITION
- To visit (a sick person); to call on someone ill.
友達が病気なので、病院に見舞いに行きました。
Hint: My friend is sick, so I went to the hospital to visit them. (Literally: 'to visit-see')
先日、災害に遭われた方々を見舞いました。
Hint: The other day, I offered sympathy/visited those who were affected by the disaster.
彼女は入院中の祖母を毎週末見舞っています。
Hint: She visits her hospitalized grandmother every weekend.
In Japanese, when you want to talk about visiting someone who is ill or in a difficult situation, the verb 見舞う (mimau) is the one you'll use. It's a really important word to know for showing concern and empathy. Let's break down how to use it correctly.
§ Basic meaning
- Definition
- To visit (a sick person); to call on someone ill; to inquire after someone's health; to express sympathy.
§ How to use 見舞う (mimau) in sentences
The most common way to use 見舞う is to indicate that you are visiting someone who is sick or recovering. The person being visited is marked with the particle を (o) or に (ni).
§ Using を (o) for the direct object
When you use を (o), the person you are visiting is the direct object of the verb. This is very straightforward.
友達を病院に見舞いに行った。
- Hint
- I went to the hospital to visit my friend.
彼女は病気の祖母を毎日見舞っている。
- Hint
- She visits her sick grandmother every day.
§ Using に (ni) to indicate the destination or recipient
You can also use に (ni) with 見舞う. In this case, に functions to mark the person who is the recipient of the visit, or the location of the visit, similar to how it indicates destination with other verbs of motion.
部長にお見舞いに行った。
- Hint
- I went to visit the department head (who is sick).
病気の友人の家に見舞いに行った。
- Hint
- I went to my sick friend's house to visit.
§ Related phrases and nouns
You'll also hear 見舞い used as a noun, often in conjunction with other verbs.
- お見舞い (omimai): This is the honorific form of the noun, often used when talking about a visit or a gift for someone who is ill.
- お見舞いに行く (omimai ni iku): To go to visit someone who is sick. This is a very common set phrase.
- お見舞い品 (omimai-hin) or お見舞い金 (omimai-kin): A get-well gift or money given to someone who is ill.
彼にお見舞いに行った。
- Hint
- I went to visit him (to express my sympathy/check on his well-being).
友人からお見舞いの品をもらった。
- Hint
- I received a get-well gift from my friend.
§ Broader meaning of 見舞う
While primarily used for visiting the sick, 見舞う can also be used in a broader sense to mean 'to inquire after someone's health' or 'to express sympathy for someone in distress'. It can also refer to a disaster or misfortune befalling someone, though this usage is less common for learners at this level.
被災者を見舞う。
- Hint
- To inquire after/express sympathy for the disaster victims.
The Japanese verb 見舞う (mimau) means to visit someone who is sick or to inquire about their health. It’s a practical word you’ll encounter in various situations, from casual conversations to more formal settings like the news. Let’s look at how you actually hear and use this word in daily life.
§ At work and school
In a work or school environment, you might use 見舞う (mimau) when a colleague or classmate is ill or has suffered an unfortunate event. It shows concern and solidarity.
- DEFINITION
- To visit (a sick person); to call on someone ill.
病気の同僚を見舞いに行った。
Translation hint: I went to visit my sick colleague.
クラスメートが入院したので、みんなで見舞いに行くことになった。
Translation hint: A classmate was hospitalized, so we all decided to go visit them.
§ In the news
News reports often use 見舞う (mimau) to describe leaders or officials visiting areas affected by disasters, or victims of accidents. This usage emphasizes showing sympathy and offering support.
首相が被災地を見舞った。
Translation hint: The Prime Minister visited the disaster-stricken area.
事故の犠牲者を病院に見舞う。
Translation hint: To visit the accident victims in the hospital.
§ Common phrases and etiquette
When you go to 見舞う (mimau) someone, there are some common phrases and etiquette points to remember:
- お見舞いに行く (omimai ni iku): This is the most straightforward way to say "to go visit someone who is sick."
- お見舞い品 (omimaihin): This refers to a gift you bring when visiting someone who is ill. It's customary to bring something small, like fruit, flowers, or a book.
- お大事に (odaiji ni): This phrase means "Please take care of yourself" and is commonly said when someone is unwell.
友人が病気になったので、週末にお見舞いに行く予定です。
Translation hint: My friend got sick, so I plan to go visit them this weekend.
お見舞い品は何がいいか迷っています。
Translation hint: I'm wondering what kind of get-well gift would be good.
Understanding 見舞う (mimau) and its associated customs is important for navigating social situations in Japan. It demonstrates empathy and respect for those facing difficult times.
"見舞う" (みまう) is a useful Japanese verb, but it's easy to make mistakes if you're not careful. Let's look at common errors and how to avoid them.
§ Don't use 見舞う for general visits
The biggest mistake learners make is using "見舞う" for any kind of visit. Remember, "見舞う" specifically means to visit someone who is sick or affected by a disaster. It's not for dropping by a friend's house or visiting a tourist spot.
- DEFINITION
- To visit (a sick person); to call on someone ill. It can also refer to visiting someone affected by a disaster or misfortune.
If you want to say you're visiting a friend, use "訪ねる" (たずねる) or "会いに行く" (あいにいく). If you're visiting a place, use "訪れる" (おとずれる) or "行く" (いく).
友達の家に訪ねた。 (I visited my friend's house.)
京都を訪れた。 (I visited Kyoto.)
§ Using the wrong particles
Another common mistake is using incorrect particles with "見舞う". The most common particle to use with the person being visited is "を" (o) or "に" (ni).
Using 「を」: This is generally preferred when the focus is on the act of visiting the person.
友達を見舞いに行った。 (I went to visit my friend.)
Using 「に」: This can also be used, especially when emphasizing the destination or purpose.
病院に見舞いに行った。 (I went to the hospital to visit.)
§ Forgetting the implied meaning
"見舞う" carries a sense of empathy and concern. When you use it, you're not just visiting; you're expressing sympathy for their condition. Keep this nuance in mind.
彼女が入院したので、みんなで見舞いに行った。 (She was hospitalized, so we all went to visit her and express our concern.)
This sentence implies more than just showing up. It means you went to check on her, offer support, and wish her well.
§ Confusing it with other verbs
Japanese has many verbs for 'to visit', and it's easy to mix them up. Here's a quick comparison:
訪ねる (たずねる): General purpose 'to visit' a person or a place (more formal than 会いに行く).
先生の家を訪ねた。 (I visited my teacher's house.)
訪れる (おとずれる): 'To visit' a place, often with a sense of formality or the place being the main focus.
毎年、多くの観光客がその寺を訪れる。 (Many tourists visit that temple every year.)
会いに行く (あいにいく): Casual 'to go to meet' someone.
友達に会いに行った。 (I went to meet my friend.)
By understanding these common pitfalls, you can use "見舞う" correctly and naturally in your Japanese conversations.
§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives
When you want to talk about visiting someone, especially if they're ill or have had an accident, 見舞う (mimau) is your go-to verb. However, Japanese has several ways to express "to visit," and choosing the right one depends on the context and who you are visiting.
- 見舞う (mimau)
- This verb specifically means to visit someone who is ill, injured, or has experienced a disaster. It carries a nuance of showing concern and offering sympathy. You'll often hear it in formal or polite contexts, but it's also common in everyday conversation when the situation calls for it.
友達が病気なので、病院に見舞いに行った。
(Tomodachi ga byouki nanode, byouin ni mimai ni itta.)
My friend is sick, so I went to the hospital to visit them.
お見舞いありがとうございます。
(Omimai arigatou gozaimasu.)
Thank you for your visit (when I was sick).
- 訪ねる (tazuneru)
- This is a general verb for "to visit." You can use it for visiting friends, relatives, a company, or a place. It's a neutral term and doesn't carry the specific nuance of illness or disaster that 見舞う does.
先週末、京都を訪ねた。
(Senshuumatsu, Kyoto o tazuneta.)
Last weekend, I visited Kyoto.
友達の家を訪ねた。
(Tomodachi no ie o tazuneta.)
I visited my friend's house.
- 訪問する (houmon suru)
- This verb is more formal than 訪ねる (tazuneru) and is often used in business contexts or when talking about official visits. It implies a scheduled or purposeful visit.
お客様を訪問する。
(Okyaku-sama o houmon suru.)
To visit a client.
- 行く (iku) / 来る (kuru)
- These are the basic verbs for "to go" and "to come." While they don't explicitly mean "to visit," they can be used in a visiting context, especially in casual conversation. However, they lack the nuance of showing respect or purpose that the other verbs carry.
友達の家に行く。
(Tomodachi no ie ni iku.)
To go to a friend's house (implies visiting).
Here's a quick summary to help you decide:
- 見舞う (mimau): Use for visiting someone who is sick, injured, or has experienced a disaster.
- 訪ねる (tazuneru): Use for general visits to people or places. It's common and versatile.
- 訪問する (houmon suru): Use for more formal or business-related visits.
- 行く (iku) / 来る (kuru): Use in casual conversation when the context of visiting is clear, but they don't carry the same specific nuance as the others.
By understanding these differences, you can choose the most appropriate verb to express "to visit" in various situations in Japanese. Pay attention to the context and the relationship with the person you are visiting to make the best choice!
How Formal Is It?
"先日、病院にお見舞いしました。 (The other day, I visited [someone at] the hospital.)"
"病気になった友だちを見舞う。 (To visit a friend who got sick.)"
"おばあちゃん、風邪ひいたから見舞いに行こう。 (Grandma caught a cold, so let's go visit her.)"
"パパとママ、おばあちゃんのお見舞いに行くんだよ。 (Mom and Dad are going to visit Grandma.)"
Fun Fact
The character '舞' (mai) often refers to dancing, but in this context, it carries the older meaning of 'to console' or 'to comfort' through a visit.
Grammar to Know
見舞う (mimau) is always used with the particle を (o) when referring to the person being visited.
彼をお見舞いに行きました。 (Kare o omimai ni ikimashita.) - I went to visit him (a sick person).
It can also be used with the particle に (ni) to indicate the place where one visits someone.
病院にお見舞いに行きます。 (Byōin ni omimai ni ikimasu.) - I'm going to the hospital to visit (someone).
When expressing the act of visiting, it's common to use the te-form of an auxiliary verb like 行く (iku - to go) or 来る (kuru - to come) after 見舞う.
友達がお見舞いに来てくれました。 (Tomodachi ga omimai ni kite kuremashita.) - My friend came to visit me (when I was sick).
The honorific form お見舞い (omimai) is frequently used, especially when referring to visiting someone of higher status or simply out of politeness.
部長のお見舞いに行かなければなりません。 (Buchō no omimai ni ikanakereba narimasen.) - I must go visit the section chief (who is ill).
見舞う can also be used in a more general sense to mean 'to inquire after someone's health' or 'to sympathize with someone's misfortune', though the primary meaning is about visiting the sick.
彼の家族にお見舞いの言葉を伝えました。 (Kare no kazoku ni omimai no kotoba o tsutaemashita.) - I conveyed words of sympathy to his family.
Examples by Level
お見舞いに行く。
I'm going to visit someone sick.
友達を見舞う。
To visit a friend (who is sick).
病院で見舞う。
To visit someone in the hospital.
早く見舞いたい。
I want to visit soon.
彼は病気の人を見舞った。
He visited a sick person.
お母さんがおばあちゃんを見舞った。
My mother visited my grandmother.
明日、彼を見舞うつもりです。
I plan to visit him tomorrow.
先生は生徒を見舞った。
The teacher visited the student.
昨日、友達がお見舞いに来てくれました。
Yesterday, my friend came to visit me (when I was sick).
病院にいる祖父を見舞いに行きました。
I went to visit my grandfather in the hospital.
病気の同僚を見舞うために、花を買いました。
I bought flowers to visit my sick colleague.
彼女はいつもお見舞いに来てくれます。
She always comes to visit (when I'm sick).
風邪をひいた友達を家に見舞いに行きました。
I went to visit my friend at home who had a cold.
先生が入院したので、クラスみんなでお見舞いに行きました。
The teacher was hospitalized, so the whole class went to visit them.
部長がお見舞いの品を持ってきてくれました。
The department head brought a get-well gift.
週末に祖母を見舞う予定です。
I plan to visit my grandmother this weekend.
昨日、友達がお見舞いに来てくれました。
My friend came to visit me yesterday.
入院中の祖父を見舞いに行きました。
I went to visit my hospitalized grandfather.
病気の人を見舞う時は、お花を持っていくと喜ばれます。
When visiting a sick person, they'll be happy if you bring flowers.
彼女は毎日、怪我をした同僚を見舞っています。
She visits her injured colleague every day.
出張先で病気になった上司を見舞いました。
I visited my boss who got sick on a business trip.
地震で被災した人々を見舞い、支援を届けました。
I visited the people affected by the earthquake and delivered support.
彼は手術後の妻を見舞うため、仕事を早退しました。
He left work early to visit his wife after her surgery.
遠方に住む親戚を見舞いに行きました。
I went to visit my relatives living far away.
昨日、友達がお見舞いに来てくれました。
My friend visited me yesterday.
入院中の祖父を見舞いに行きました。
I went to visit my grandfather who is in the hospital.
風邪をひいている同僚を見舞いました。
I visited my colleague who had a cold.
病気の方を見舞う時は、手土産を持っていくのが一般的です。
When you visit someone who is sick, it's common to bring a small gift.
彼女は入院中の友人を見舞うために、毎日病院に通っています。
She goes to the hospital every day to visit her friend who is hospitalized.
彼の事故を知って、すぐに彼を見舞いに行きました。
After hearing about his accident, I immediately went to visit him.
遠方に住む親戚を見舞うために、週末に帰省しました。
I went back to my hometown for the weekend to visit my relatives who live far away.
震災で被災した人々を見舞い、支援活動を行いました。
We visited the people affected by the earthquake and provided support.
先日、友人が入院したと聞いて、すぐに見舞いに行きました。
Hearing my friend was hospitalized, I immediately went to visit them.
怪我をした同僚を見舞うために、会社のみんなでお見舞い品を選びました。
To visit our injured colleague, everyone at the company chose a gift.
遠方に住む祖母が病気だと連絡を受け、急いで実家に見舞いに帰りました。
Receiving news that my grandmother living far away was ill, I hurried back home to visit her.
彼は病床に臥せる母親を毎日見舞い、励まし続けています。
He visits his bedridden mother every day, continuously encouraging her.
自然災害に見舞われた地域の人々を支援するため、ボランティア活動に参加しました。
To support the people in the area affected by the natural disaster, I participated in volunteer activities.
Note: '見舞う' can also mean 'to be struck by' or 'to suffer from' (a disaster).
長い間会っていない恩師が体調を崩したと聞き、先日、自宅に見舞いに伺いました。
Hearing that my old teacher, whom I hadn't seen in a long time, was unwell, I went to their home to visit them the other day.
出張中に急病に見舞われ、現地の病院で数日間入院することになりました。
During my business trip, I was suddenly taken ill and ended up being hospitalized for several days at a local hospital.
Note: '見舞われる' is the passive form, meaning 'to be struck by/to suffer from (an illness/disaster)'.
彼女は入院中の友人を見舞うだけでなく、退院後も自宅で看病を続けました。
She not only visited her hospitalized friend but also continued to nurse her at home after her discharge.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
友達が入院したので、明日見舞いに行きます。
My friend was hospitalized, so I'll go visit them tomorrow.
彼女は病気の祖母を見舞った。
She visited her sick grandmother.
災害に見舞われた人々を助ける。
Help people affected by the disaster.
私は先週、彼のお見舞いに行った。
I went to visit him last week (when he was sick).
お見舞いありがとう。
Thank you for your visit (when I was sick).
彼は大きな病気に見舞われた。
He was struck by a serious illness.
お見舞いには何を持っていけばいいですか？
What should I bring for a get-well visit?
彼の家族は不幸に見舞われた。
His family suffered a misfortune.
遠方からお見舞い申し上げます。
I send my condolences/sympathy from afar.
入院中、たくさんの方にお見舞いいただきました。
While hospitalized, many people visited me.
Often Confused With
Noun for 'get-well visit' or 'get-well gift'.
General verb for 'to visit' (person or place).
Formal verb for 'to visit' or 'to call on' (person or place).
Grammar Patterns
Idioms & Expressions
"お見舞いに行く (omimai ni iku)"
To go and visit someone who is sick.
彼女は入院中の友人にお見舞いに行った。 (Kanojo wa nyūin-chū no yūjin ni omimai ni itta.)
neutral"お見舞いの品 (omimai no shina)"
A gift for someone who is sick.
お見舞いの品として果物を持っていった。 (Omimai no shina to shite kudamono o motte itta.)
neutral"お見舞い申し上げます (omimai mōshiagemasu)"
I offer my sincerest wishes for your recovery (formal greeting when visiting someone sick).
先生にお見舞い申し上げます。 (Sensei ni omimai mōshiagemasu.)
formal"お見舞い金 (omimai kin)"
Money given to someone who is sick.
会社からお見舞い金が出た。 (Kaisha kara omimai kin ga deta.)
neutral"お見舞いメール (omimai mēru)"
An email to express concern for someone who is sick.
忙しいので、お見舞いメールを送った。 (Isogashii node, omimai mēru o okutta.)
neutral"お見舞い客 (omimai kyaku)"
A visitor to a sick person.
病院にお見舞い客がたくさん来ていた。 (Byōin ni omimai kyaku ga takusan kite ita.)
neutral"お見舞いを受ける (omimai o ukeru)"
To receive a visit from someone who is concerned about your health.
病気の時、たくさんのお見舞いを受けた。 (Byōki no toki, takusan no omimai o uketa.)
neutral"お見舞いの言葉 (omimai no kotoba)"
Words of sympathy or encouragement to someone who is sick.
彼女はお見舞いの言葉をかけてくれた。 (Kanojo wa omimai no kotoba o kakete kureta.)
neutral"お見舞いを兼ねて (omimai o kanete)"
Combining a visit to a sick person with another purpose.
出張のついでにお見舞いを兼ねて立ち寄った。 (Shucchō no tsuide ni omimai o kanete tachiyotta.)
neutral"お見舞い返し (omimai gaeshi)"
A return gift to someone who visited you while you were sick.
退院後、お見舞い返しを送った。 (Taiin-go, omimai gaeshi o okutta.)
neutralEasily Confused
Often confused with the verb 見舞う. This is the noun form, specifically referring to the act of visiting a sick person or the gift given during such a visit.
見舞う is the verb 'to visit (a sick person)', while お見舞い is the noun for 'a visit to a sick person' or 'a get-well gift'.
彼にお見舞いに行きました。 (I went to visit him.)
Both 見舞う and 訪ねる mean 'to visit'. However, their usage contexts are different.
見舞う specifically implies visiting someone who is ill or in trouble. 訪ねる is a general verb for visiting a place or person, without the connotation of illness or trouble.
友達の家を訪ねた。 (I visited my friend's house.)
Similar to 訪ねる, 訪問する also means 'to visit', leading to confusion about its specific use compared to 見舞う.
訪問する is a more formal way to say 'to visit' or 'to call on someone/a place', often used in business or official contexts. It doesn't carry the specific meaning of visiting a sick person that 見舞う does.
取引先を訪問した。 (I visited a business client.)
As 'to meet', it can sometimes be incorrectly used when 'to visit a sick person' is intended.
会う is a general verb meaning 'to meet' someone. While you 'meet' someone when you visit them, 見舞う specifies the purpose of the visit as being to see someone who is ill.
友達に会った。 (I met a friend.)
Literally 'to go to see', it might be mistakenly used for visiting someone in a hospital.
見に行く means 'to go to see (something or someone)'. It lacks the specific connotation of comforting or checking on a sick person that 見舞う has. It's more about going to observe or watch.
映画を見に行った。 (I went to see a movie.)
Sentence Patterns
Noun (person) を 見舞う
入院している友達を見舞いました。 (I visited my friend who is in the hospital.)
Noun (person) のお見舞いに行く
週末に祖母のお見舞いに行きます。 (I'm going to visit my grandmother this weekend.)
Verb-て form + 見舞う (less common, usually indicates a strong emotional impact or a disaster)
地震に見舞われた地域。 (Area struck by an earthquake.)
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
How to Use It
When someone is ill or has had an accident, you 見舞う (mimau) them. This verb specifically means to visit someone who is unwell or affected by misfortune, offering comfort and support. It's not used for casual visits. Think of it as a 'sick visit' or 'visiting to express sympathy.' You might bring a gift, like flowers or fruit, when you 見舞う someone.
A common mistake is using 見舞う for any general visit. For example, you wouldn't say 「友達の家を見舞う」 (to visit a friend's house) if they're healthy. For a general visit, you'd use 訪ねる (tazuneru) or 行く (iku). 見舞う carries the specific nuance of visiting someone in a difficult situation, usually related to health.
Tips
Basic Meaning of 見舞う
The most common use of 「見舞う」(mimau) is to visit someone who is sick or injured. Think of it as 'checking in' on their health.
見舞う with 友人 (Friend)
You can use this verb when visiting a friend who is hospitalized. For example: 友人のお見舞いに行く (Yūjin no omimai ni iku - I'm going to visit my friend in the hospital).
見舞う with 家族 (Family)
It's also appropriate for visiting sick family members. 母のお見舞いに行った (Haha no omimai ni itta - I went to visit my mother).
Not for Casual Visits
「見舞う」is specifically for visiting someone due to their illness or injury. Do not use it for a casual visit to a healthy friend's house.
お見舞い金 (Gift Money)
When visiting someone sick in Japan, it's common to bring 「お見舞い金」(omimaikin), which is gift money, or a small gift. This is a significant cultural practice.
見舞う in Passive Voice
You might hear it in the passive voice, like 私は病気に見舞われた (Watashi wa byōki ni mimawareta - I was struck by illness). Here, it means to be 'afflicted' or 'hit by' something negative.
見舞う for Disasters
In a more formal or journalistic context, 「見舞う」can also refer to a disaster 'striking' or 'afflicting' a place. For example: 台風が街を見舞った (Taifū ga machi o mimatta - The typhoon struck the city).
Noun Form: お見舞い
The noun form is 「お見舞い」(omimai), meaning a visit to a sick person or a get-well gift. This form is very common.
Common Phrase: お見舞いに行く
A very useful phrase is 「お見舞いに行く」(omimai ni iku), which literally means 'to go for a sick visit.' This covers the act of visiting someone ill.
Don't Confuse with 会う (Meet)
While both involve seeing someone, 「会う」(au) is a general verb for meeting, whereas 「見舞う」is specific to visiting someone who is unwell. Choose the right verb for the context.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of it as 'Mee' (me) and 'Mau' (a cat's 'meow'). So, 'Meow' (the cat) visits someone who is ill to comfort them. Or, 'Mee' (me) 'mau' (mow the lawn for a sick friend).
Visual Association
Imagine a hospital room with a friend bringing flowers and saying, '見舞う!' as they enter. Or, picture yourself with a 'mi'crophone, 'ma'king a 'u'pbeat speech to cheer up a sick friend.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to say 'I will visit my sick friend' using 見舞う. (私は病気の友達を見舞います - Watashi wa byouki no tomodachi o mimaimasu.)
Word Origin
From Middle Chinese '見' (to see) and '舞' (to console, to dance).
Original meaning: To see and console.
Sino-Japanese (Kango)Cultural Context
In Japanese culture, visiting someone who is ill is considered an important act of showing care and respect. It's common to bring a small gift, such as fruit or flowers, when paying a get-well visit (お見舞い, omimai). There's also a specific custom of avoiding certain gifts, like potted plants, as they can symbolize a prolonged illness due to their 'rooting' nature.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
When a friend or family member is in the hospital.
- 入院している友達を見舞う (nyūin shiteiru tomodachi o mimau) - to visit a hospitalized friend
- お見舞いに行く (omimai ni iku) - to go visit someone sick (polite form)
- お見舞いの品 (omimai no shina) - a get-well gift
When someone is recovering from an illness at home.
- 家で療養中の人を見舞う (ie de ryōyō-chū no hito o mimau) - to visit someone recuperating at home
- 体調を気遣う (taichō o kizukau) - to show concern for someone's health
Expressing gratitude for a visit when you were sick.
- お見舞いありがとうございました (omimai arigatō gozaimashita) - Thank you for your visit (when I was sick).
- 元気になりました (genki ni narimashita) - I've recovered/gotten well.
Discussing plans to visit someone sick.
- いつお見舞いに行きますか？ (itsu omimai ni ikimasu ka?) - When will you go visit?
- 来週お見舞いに行こうと思っています (raishū omimai ni ikō to omotte imasu) - I'm thinking of going to visit next week.
When someone asks about your health after an illness.
- もう大丈夫です (mō daijōbu desu) - I'm already fine.
- ご心配おかけしました (go shinpai okake shimashita) - I apologize for causing you worry.
Conversation Starters
"友達が熱を出して寝込んでいるんだけど、お見舞いに行った方がいいかな？ (Tomodachi ga netsu o dashite nekonde iru n'dakedo, omimai ni itta hō ga ii kana?) - My friend has a fever and is in bed, do you think I should go visit them?"
"最近、誰かお見舞いに行ったことはありますか？ (Saikin, dareka omimai ni itta koto wa arimasu ka?) - Have you visited anyone sick recently?"
"もし自分が病気になったら、どんなお見舞いの品が嬉しいですか？ (Moshi jibun ga byōki ni nattara, donna omimai no shina ga ureshii desu ka?) - If you were sick, what kind of get-well gift would make you happy?"
"お見舞いに行くときに、何か気をつけることはありますか？ (Omimai ni iku toki ni, nanika ki o tsukeru koto wa arimasu ka?) - Is there anything I should be careful about when visiting someone sick?"
"日本でお見舞いに行く場合、何か特別なマナーがありますか？ (Nihon de omimai ni iku baai, nanika tokubetsu na manā ga arimasu ka?) - Are there any special manners for visiting someone sick in Japan?"
Journal Prompts
大切な人が病気になったら、どのように励ましたいですか？ (Taisetsu na hito ga byōki ni nattara, dono yō ni hagemashitai desu ka?) - If someone important to you became sick, how would you want to encourage them?
今までで一番印象に残っているお見舞いの経験は何ですか？ (Ima made de ichiban inshō ni nokotte iru omimai no keiken wa nan desu ka?) - What is your most memorable experience of visiting someone sick?
あなたが病気で落ち込んでいるとき、どんな言葉や行動が一番力になりますか？ (Anata ga byōki de ochikonde iru toki, donna kotoba ya kōdō ga ichiban chikara ni narimasu ka?) - When you're sick and feeling down, what words or actions give you the most strength?
お見舞いの品を選ぶときに、何を基準に選びますか？具体的に考えてみましょう。(Omimai no shina o erabu toki ni, nani o kijun ni erabimasu ka? Gutai-teki ni kangaete mimashō.) - When choosing a get-well gift, what criteria do you use? Let's think concretely.
日本の「お見舞い」の習慣と、あなたの国の似た習慣を比較して、共通点や違いを書いてみましょう。 (Nihon no 'omimai' no shūkan to, anata no kuni no nita shūkan o hikaku shite, kyōtsūten ya chigai o kaite mimashō.) - Compare the Japanese custom of 'omimai' with similar customs in your country, and write about the similarities and differences.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYou can use 見舞う to talk about visiting someone who is ill. For example, 友達がお見舞いに来てくれた。 (My friend came to visit me when I was sick.) or 病気のおばあちゃんを見舞った。 (I visited my sick grandmother.)
Yes, 見舞う specifically refers to visiting someone who is ill or has been affected by a disaster. It's not used for general social visits.
The plain form is 見舞う. For a more polite everyday conversation, you can use 見舞います. When speaking about someone else's actions or showing respect, you might use the honorific form お見舞いになる or the humble form お見舞いする (when you are visiting someone senior or in a position of respect).
Absolutely. It's very common to use 見舞う when visiting someone in the hospital. For instance, 彼は入院中の友達を見舞った。 (He visited his friend who was hospitalized.)
会う is a general term for meeting someone. 見舞う is specific to visiting someone who is sick or in a difficult situation. You wouldn't use 見舞う for a casual meeting with a friend.
Yes, お見舞い (おみまい) is the noun form, meaning 'a visit to a sick person' or 'a get-well gift'. For example, お見舞いに行った。 (I went for a get-well visit.) or お見舞いの品を持っていった。 (I took a get-well gift.)
While 見舞う means 'to visit', the phrase お見舞い申し上げます is a formal way to express sympathy and well wishes to someone who is ill or has been through a difficult situation. A more common and direct 'get well soon' would be お大事に (おだいじに).
Yes, 見舞う can also be used to express sympathy or concern for someone affected by a disaster. For example, 被災者を見舞った。 (I visited/expressed sympathy to the disaster victims.)
The kanji for 見舞う is 見舞う. It combines 見 (mi, 'to see') and 舞 (mau, 'to dance' or 'to flutter'). In this context, it doesn't mean 'to see a dance', but rather carries the nuance of going to see someone who is ill or in trouble.
Besides お見舞い (get-well visit/gift), you might hear phrases like お見舞いに行く (to go on a get-well visit) or お見舞い状 (a letter of sympathy/get-well letter). The word is quite straightforward in its usage for visiting the ill.
Test Yourself 144 questions
病気の友達を＿＿＿。
「見舞う」は病気の人を訪ねるという意味です。
病院に＿＿＿行きます。
「見舞いに行く」という形で使います。
おばあちゃんが病気なので、明日＿＿＿つもりです。
病気のおばあちゃんを訪ねるので「見舞います」が正しいです。
彼は入院中の友人を＿＿＿。
入院中の友人を訪ねる行為を表すのは「見舞う」です。
A: 田中さんが病気だって。 B: そうですか。じゃあ、今週末＿＿＿。
病気の人を訪ねる際は「見舞いに行く」を使います。
風邪をひいた友達を＿＿＿ため、お見舞いに行きました。
友達の病状を見舞うために行ったので「見舞う」が適切です。
Which of these means 'sick person'?
病人 (byouin) specifically refers to a sick person. The other options mean school, teacher, and friend respectively.
If you visit a sick friend, what Japanese word would you use for 'friend'?
友達 (tomodachi) means friend. The other options mean family, teacher, and doctor.
Which word indicates 'to visit' or 'to go' in a general sense?
行く (iku) means to go. 食べる (taberu) means to eat, 寝る (neru) means to sleep, and 読む (yomu) means to read.
見舞う (mimau) is used when you visit someone who is healthy.
見舞う (mimau) is specifically used when visiting someone who is ill or injured.
You can use 見舞う (mimau) to talk about visiting a sick family member.
Yes, 見舞う (mimau) is appropriate for visiting any sick person, including family.
When you use 見舞う (mimau), you are usually going to see someone at their house.
While it can be at their house, 見舞う (mimau) can also mean visiting someone in the hospital or another place where they are receiving care.
Listen for 'visit a sick friend'.
Listen for 'go to visit grandma'.
Listen for 'visit at the hospital with family'.
Read this aloud:
びょうき の ともだち を みまいます。
Focus: びょうき (byōki)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
おばあちゃん を みまい に いきます。
Focus: おばあちゃん (obāchan)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
かぞく で びょういん に みまい。
Focus: びょういん (byōin)
You said:
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This sentence means 'I visited my friend.' The order follows the typical Japanese sentence structure of Subject-Object-Verb.
This sentence means 'When he was sick, I visited him.' The first part sets the condition, followed by the main clause.
This sentence means 'I went to the hospital to visit him.' '見舞いに' (mimai ni) means 'to visit' as a purpose.
先週、私は友達が病気だったので、彼を___に行きました。
「見舞う」は病気の人を訪ねる際に使います。「見舞いに」で「見舞う」の目的を表します。
おばあさんが入院しているので、今週末に病院へ___つもりです。
病院にいるおばあさんを訪ねる、つまり病気の人を訪ねるので「見舞いに」が適切です。
彼は風邪をひいて会社を休んでいるので、後で___と電話がありました。
風邪で休んでいる人を訪ねるので「見舞いに来る」が最も自然です。
病気の時、友達が___くれて、とても嬉しかったです。
友達が病気の私を訪ねてくれた、という意味になるので「見舞って」が適切です。
怪我をしたチームメイトを___、みんなでメッセージを送りました。
怪我をしたチームメイトを訪ねる、という意味で「見舞って」を使います。
出張から帰ったら、すぐに病気の母を___つもりです。
出張から帰って、病気の母を訪ねる、という意味で「見舞う」が適切です。
Choose the correct kanji for 'mimau' (to visit a sick person).
見舞う (mimau) specifically means to visit a sick or injured person. 見る (miru) means to see, 聞く (kiku) means to hear/listen, and 行く (iku) means to go.
Which sentence correctly uses 見舞う?
見舞う is used when visiting someone who is sick or injured. The other options describe visiting places, not sick people.
If your friend is in the hospital, what would you do?
When visiting someone in the hospital because they are sick or injured, the appropriate verb is 見舞う (mimau).
You can use 見舞う to say you are visiting a museum.
見舞う (mimau) is specifically for visiting sick or injured people, not places like museums.
The word 見舞う means to visit a sick person.
Yes, that is the primary meaning of 見舞う (mimau).
You can use 見舞う to talk about visiting your healthy friend at their home.
見舞う (mimau) is used for visiting someone who is ill or injured. For visiting a healthy friend, you would use a more general verb like 訪ねる (tazuneru) or 会う (au).
I'm going to visit a friend.
Yesterday, I visited my grandmother.
He visited his sick colleague.
Read this aloud:
彼女は入院中の友達を見舞いに行った。
Focus: みま
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Read this aloud:
具合が悪いので、お見舞いに行きます。
Focus: ぐあい
You said:
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Read this aloud:
週末に先生のお見舞いに行こう。
Focus: せんせい
You said:
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This sentence means 'I visited my friend.' '私は' (I), '友達を' (friend + object particle), '見舞った' (visited).
This sentence means 'He visited his grandfather in the hospital.' '彼は' (He), '病院で' (in the hospital), '祖父を' (grandfather + object particle), '見舞った' (visited).
This sentence means 'My mother will visit my sick grandmother.' 'お母さんが' (Mother), '病気の' (sick), 'おばあちゃんを' (grandmother + object particle), '見舞います' (will visit).
先週、私は友達が病気だったので、病院に___。
「見舞う」は病気の人を訪ねる際に使います。「訪ねる」は一般的な訪問、「会った」は会うこと、「行った」は行くこと全般を指します。
彼女は入院中の祖母を毎週末___。
入院中の祖母に対しては、「見舞う」を使うのが適切です。敬語を使う場合は「見舞います」となります。
風邪で寝込んでいる同僚を___つもりです。
病気で寝込んでいる同僚を訪ねる意図を表す場合、「見舞う」が最も自然な表現です。
大変な災害に見舞われた人々を___。
「見舞う」は、病気の人を訪ねる以外に、災害など不幸な出来事に遭うという意味でも使われますが、この文脈では、災害に遭った人々にお見舞いの気持ちを伝える、という意味で「見舞いたい」が適切です。
お見舞いの品を持って、友人の家を___。
お見舞いの品を持って友人の家に行く行為自体は「訪ねる」が適切です。「見舞う」は病状を見舞うことに焦点があります。
彼女は病気の猫を毎日___。
人間だけでなく、ペットの病状を見舞う場合にも「見舞う」を使うことができます。
Choose the correct kanji for 'mimau' (to visit a sick person).
見舞う specifically means to visit someone who is sick or affected by a disaster. The other options are more general terms for 'to meet' or 'to visit'.
Which sentence uses 見舞う correctly?
見舞う is used to visit someone who is sick or in a difficult situation. Visiting a sick grandmother in the hospital is the correct context. The other options refer to visiting places or healthy people, for which other verbs would be more appropriate.
What is the most appropriate response if someone says, 'おばあさんが病気で入院しています。' (My grandmother is sick and in the hospital.)
お見舞い (mimau in noun form) refers to a visit to a sick person. Given the grandmother is sick and hospitalized, 'Let's go visit her' is the most suitable response.
You can use 見舞う to talk about visiting a healthy friend at their home.
見舞う is specifically used for visiting someone who is sick, injured, or affected by a disaster. For visiting a healthy friend, you would use verbs like 訪ねる (tazuneru) or 会いに行く (ai ni iku).
The verb 見舞う always implies a sense of concern or sympathy for the person being visited.
Yes, 見舞う carries the nuance of checking on someone's well-being due to illness, injury, or misfortune, therefore implying concern or sympathy.
「災害に遭った人を友達と見舞った。」(I visited people affected by the disaster with my friend.) is a correct use of 見舞う.
見舞う can also be used for visiting people affected by disasters, as it involves checking on their condition and offering support in a difficult situation.
What did I do yesterday?
Who is being visited?
Where was he?
Read this aloud:
友達を見舞うために病院へ行きます。
Focus: 見舞う (mimau)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
先生は、病気の生徒を見舞った。
Focus: 見舞った (mimatta)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
週末に、祖父を見舞うつもりです。
Focus: つもりです (tsumori desu)
You said:
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Imagine your friend is sick. Write a short message (2-3 sentences) to them in Japanese, saying you will visit them soon. Use 見舞う (mimau).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
お見舞いに行くね。すぐ行くからね。 (Omimai ni iku ne. Sugu iku kara ne.)
Your colleague is in the hospital. Write a sentence in Japanese explaining that you plan to visit them after work. Use 見舞う (mimau).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
仕事の後、彼を見舞うつもりです。 (Shigoto no ato, kare wo mimau tsumori desu.)
Write a short sentence in Japanese to a friend, suggesting you both go to visit another sick friend. Use 見舞う (mimau).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
一緒に友達を見舞いに行こうか？ (Issho ni tomodachi wo mimai ni ikou ka?)
Why did B feel better?
Read this passage:
A: お父さん、お母さん、おばあちゃん、元気になった？ B: うん、だいぶ良くなったよ。毎日、おじさんがお見舞いに来てくれたからね。 A: そうなんだ。よかったね！
Why did B feel better?
B says: 毎日、おじさんがお見舞いに来てくれたからね (Every day, my uncle came to visit me).
B says: 毎日、おじさんがお見舞いに来てくれたからね (Every day, my uncle came to visit me).
What is the writer planning to do?
Read this passage:
友達が病気で入院したと聞きました。私は週末に彼を見舞いに行くつもりです。何か持って行った方がいいですか？
What is the writer planning to do?
The passage says: 私は週末に彼を見舞いに行くつもりです (I am planning to visit him on the weekend).
The passage says: 私は週末に彼を見舞いに行くつもりです (I am planning to visit him on the weekend).
When did the colleagues visit Yamada-san?
Read this passage:
Q: 山田さんが体調を崩したそうですね。 A: ええ、そうです。昨日、会社のみんなでお見舞いに行きました。 Q: どんな様子でしたか？ A: 少し元気になったようでした。
When did the colleagues visit Yamada-san?
A says: 昨日、会社のみんなでお見舞いに行きました (Yesterday, everyone from the company went to visit her).
A says: 昨日、会社のみんなでお見舞いに行きました (Yesterday, everyone from the company went to visit her).
This sentence means 'He visited his friend at the hospital yesterday.' The order follows a typical Japanese sentence structure.
This translates to 'When I go to visit someone, should I bring something?' It's a common phrase when discussing hospital visits.
This means 'She visits her sick grandmother every day.' The continuous form '見舞っている' shows a repeated action.
先週、私は入院中の友人を___に行った。
「見舞う」は病気の人を訪ねる際に使われる動詞です。この文脈では、「見舞いに行った」が最も適切です。
彼女は病気の祖母を頻繁に___。
病気の人を頻繁に訪ねるという状況なので、「見舞う」の進行形が適しています。
災害に見舞われた地域へ、支援物資を___。
「見舞う」は直接的に誰かを訪ねることを指しますが、災害の文脈では「災害に見舞われる」のように受動態で使われることが一般的です。ここでは支援物資を送る行為なので、「送る」が適切です。
高熱を出した同僚を心配し、彼のアパートへ___。
病気の同僚を心配して訪ねる場合、「見舞いに行った」が最も自然な表現です。
旅行中、予期せぬ事故に___。
「予期せぬ事故」のような不運な出来事に遭遇する際は、「見舞われる」という受動態が使われます。
病気で学校を休んだ先生を、クラスの代表が___。
病気の先生を代表して訪ねる状況なので、「見舞いに行った」が最も適切な表現です。
What did I do after hearing my friend was hospitalized?
Who did we visit and why?
What is difficult regarding visiting relatives?
Read this aloud:
病気の友を見舞う。
Focus: みまう
You said:
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Read this aloud:
入院中のおばを見舞うため、病院へ行った。
Focus: にゅういんちゅう
You said:
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Read this aloud:
彼は病気で寝ている母を見舞うため、毎日実家を訪れている。
Focus: ねている
You said:
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Imagine your friend is in the hospital. Write a short message (2-3 sentences) in Japanese to them, expressing your concern and wishing them a quick recovery, using '見舞う'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
お見舞いに行けなくてごめんね。早く元気になってください。また会えるのを楽しみにしています。
Describe a time you or someone you know went to '見舞う' someone. Write 2-3 sentences in Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
先日、入院している祖母を見舞いに行きました。少し元気そうで安心しました。また近いうちに行くつもりです。
You are unable to visit a sick friend, but you want to send them a message. Write a 2-3 sentence email in Japanese using '見舞う' to convey your feelings.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
風邪をひいてしまったと聞きました。お見舞いに行けなくて残念です。どうかお大事にしてください。
筆者は佐藤さんに何をするつもりですか？
Read this passage:
先日、佐藤さんが入院したと聞きました。私もお見舞いに行きたいのですが、仕事が忙しくてなかなか時間が取れません。せめて何か送ろうと考えています。
筆者は佐藤さんに何をするつもりですか？
「せめて何か送ろうと考えています」とあるので、贈り物を送るつもりです。
「せめて何か送ろうと考えています」とあるので、贈り物を送るつもりです。
筆者は友人の状態についてどのように感じていますか？
Read this passage:
友人が交通事故に遭い、入院しました。私はすぐに病院へ見舞いに行きました。彼の顔を見て、少し安心しましたが、まだ心配です。早く退院してほしいと願っています。
筆者は友人の状態についてどのように感じていますか？
「少し安心しましたが、まだ心配です」と書かれています。
「少し安心しましたが、まだ心配です」と書かれています。
クラスの皆は何をするつもりですか？
Read this passage:
田中さんの体調が悪いと聞いて、クラスの皆でお見舞いに行くことにしました。皆でメッセージカードを書いて、彼に元気を届けたいです。
クラスの皆は何をするつもりですか？
「クラスの皆でお見舞いに行くことにしました。皆でメッセージカードを書いて、彼に元気を届けたいです」とあるため、お見舞いに行きメッセージカードを渡すつもりです。
「クラスの皆でお見舞いに行くことにしました。皆でメッセージカードを書いて、彼に元気を届けたいです」とあるため、お見舞いに行きメッセージカードを渡すつもりです。
This sentence means 'He visited his friend who was hospitalized the other day.' The structure is Subject + Topic particle (は) + Time + Adjective phrase + Object + Object particle (を) + Verb.
This sentence means 'I went to the hospital with a get-well gift.' 'お見舞いの品' is a 'get-well gift', and '持って' means 'bringing'.
This sentence means 'She visited her colleague who was sick in bed with a cold.' '風邪で寝込んでいる' describes the colleague's condition.
先週、入院中の友人を___ました。
「見舞う」は病気の人を訪ねる際に使われる動詞です。文脈に最も適しています。
彼女はいつも体調を崩している同僚を気遣い、定期的に病院に___。
病気の人への訪問には「見舞う」が適切です。
遠方に住む祖父の病状が悪化したため、週末に___ことになりました。
「見舞いに行く」という表現で、病気の人を訪問する意味になります。
災害に見舞われた人々を___、ボランティアが現地へ向かった。
「災害に見舞われる」という受動態の形でも使われますが、ここでは「被災者を見舞う」で、困っている人を慰める意味で使われます。
お見舞いに行った際、彼女はすでに元気になっていて、笑顔で私を___くれた。
「見舞う」は訪れる側が使う言葉なので、ここでは「迎える」が適切です。ただし、「お見舞いに行った」という文脈で、元気になった相手が自分を「迎える」という流れです。
入院中の知人を___ために、花束を買って病院へ向かった。
「見舞う」は病気の人を訪ねることを指すため、この文脈に最適です。
You hear that your close friend has been hospitalized after an accident. Write a short message to their family, expressing your concern and offering to visit once they are stable enough. Use 見舞う.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
お見舞いに行きたいのですが、今はご家族も大変でしょうから、落ち着いたら連絡をください。友人のこと、本当に心配しています。
Describe a time when you visited someone who was ill. What did you bring, and what did you talk about? Use 見舞う in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
先週、入院中の祖父を見舞いました。好物の果物を持っていき、昔の思い出話に花を咲かせました。
Imagine you are writing a blog post about the importance of checking in on friends and family when they are unwell. Explain why it's important to 見舞う them.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
病気になった友人や家族を見舞うことは、彼らの気持ちを支え、孤立感を和らげるために非常に大切です。たった一言でも、大きな安心感を与えることができます。
この筆者は、なぜ取引先の社長を「見舞った」のですか？
Read this passage:
先日、長年お世話になっている取引先の社長が急病で倒れたと聞き、早速お見舞いに伺いました。社長は思ったよりも元気そうで、少し安心しました。しかし、しばらくは入院が必要とのこと。回復を心よりお祈り申し上げます。
この筆者は、なぜ取引先の社長を「見舞った」のですか？
passage starts with 先日、長年お世話になっている取引先の社長が急病で倒れたと聞き、早速お見舞いに伺いました。
passage starts with 先日、長年お世話になっている取引先の社長が急病で倒れたと聞き、早速お見舞いに伺いました。
入院中の友人を見舞う際、最も重要なことは何ですか？
Read this passage:
入院中の友人を見舞う際、何を持っていけば喜ばれるか悩むことがあります。一般的には、花や果物、本などが定番ですが、本人の体調や病院の規則を確認することが重要です。特にアレルギーなどがある場合は注意が必要です。
入院中の友人を見舞う際、最も重要なことは何ですか？
The passage states, 本人の体調や病院の規則を確認することが重要です。
The passage states, 本人の体調や病院の規則を確認することが重要です。
この筆者が「一番のお見舞い」だと感じた行動は何ですか？
Read this passage:
友人が交通事故で入院したと聞き、心配で見舞いに行きました。病院に着くと、友人は意識ははっきりしていましたが、まだ体が痛む様子でした。私はただそばに座って、友人の話を聞くことに徹しました。それが一番の「お見舞い」だと感じたからです。
この筆者が「一番のお見舞い」だと感じた行動は何ですか？
The passage says, 私はただそばに座って、友人の話を聞くことに徹しました。それが一番の「お見舞い」だと感じたからです。
The passage says, 私はただそばに座って、友人の話を聞くことに徹しました。それが一番の「お見舞い」だと感じたからです。
彼女は入院中の祖父を週に一度____。
「見舞う」は特に病気や災害で苦しんでいる人を訪ねる際に使います。この文脈では祖父が入院しているので「見舞う」が最も適切です。
病気の友人を____ため、お見舞いの品を用意した。
「見舞う」の連用形「見舞い」は、名詞や連用修飾語として使われます。ここでは「見舞いに行く」という意味で使われているため、適切です。
災害に____地域の人々に、心ばかりの寄付をした。
「見舞う」は災害や不幸に見舞われるという受身の形で使われることがあります。この文脈では災害の被害を受けた人々を指すため、「見舞われた」が適切です。
彼は遠方からわざわざ病気の私を____に来てくれた。
「見舞いに来る」は、病気の人を訪問する際に使われる一般的な表現です。
先日、入院中の同僚を皆で____に行った。
病気の同僚を訪れる行為は「見舞いに行く」と表現します。
今回の事故で、多くの人が予期せぬ不幸に____。
「不幸に見舞われる」という形で、「見舞う」が受動態で使われます。事故による不幸な状況に陥ったことを表すため、適切です。
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼女は病気の友人を___ために病院へ行った。
「見舞う」は特に病気の人や災害に遭った人を訪ねる際に使われます。他の選択肢は一般的な訪問や面会に使われます。
Which of the following situations is most appropriate for using 「見舞う」?
「見舞う」は、病気や災害など困難な状況にある人を訪れる際に使う言葉です。
Select the sentence where 「見舞う」 is used correctly.
「見舞う」は、病気や怪我、災害などで苦しんでいる人に対して使われます。
「見舞う」は、単に友達の家を訪問する際にも使える。
「見舞う」は、特に病気や災害など、困難な状況にある人を訪ねる際に使われるため、単なる友人宅への訪問には適切ではありません。
災害に見舞われた人々を助けるために、ボランティア活動に参加することは「見舞う」行為と関連している。
「見舞う」には、不幸や災害に見舞われた人々を訪ね、慰めや援助を与えるという意味も含まれます。
「お見舞い」は、病気の人に贈る品物やお金を指すこともある。
「お見舞い」は、動詞「見舞う」の名詞形であり、病気の人を訪ねることだけでなく、その際に渡す品物やお金を指す場合もあります。
The speaker went to visit a friend in the hospital.
Classmates wrote a message card to someone who is sick.
The speaker is going to visit their sick grandfather this weekend.
Read this aloud:
友人が病気になったので、お見舞いに行こうと思います。
Focus: お見舞いに行こう (omimai ni ikou)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
先日、入院していた同僚のところへ見舞いに行きました。
Focus: 見舞いに行きました (mimai ni ikimashita)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
お見舞いの品として、何を持っていくのがいいでしょうか？
Focus: お見舞いの品 (omimai no shina)
You said:
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Imagine a close friend has been hospitalized. Write a short email (3-4 sentences) to another mutual friend, suggesting you both go to 見舞う them. Include details about when you might go and what you could bring.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
〇〇さん、元気？実は△△さんが入院したと聞いて、心配してるんだ。一緒に近いうちに見舞いに行かない？週末の午後とかどうかな。何か飲み物でも持っていこうと思ってるんだけど、どうかな？
You are a character in a novel. Describe a scene (3-4 sentences) where you are preparing to 見舞う an estranged family member. What are your feelings? What do you hope to achieve by this visit?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
長い間連絡を取っていなかった叔父を見舞うため、重い足取りで病院に向かっている。複雑な感情が入り混じり、どんな顔をして会えばいいのか分からない。この訪問が、途切れてしまった家族の絆を少しでも修復するきっかけになればと願っている。
Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) for a community newsletter, explaining the importance of regularly 見舞う elderly neighbors who live alone. Emphasize the positive impact these visits can have.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
地域にお住まいの一人暮らしの高齢者の方々を定期的に見舞うことは、大変重要です。私たちのちょっとした訪問が、彼らの孤独感を和らげ、安心感を与えることができます。心温まる交流を通じて、地域全体の絆を深めていきましょう。
この筆者は、恩師との見舞いの時間をどのように感じていますか？
Read this passage:
先日、長年お世話になっている恩師が入院されたと聞き、急いで見舞いに行ってきました。病室に入ると、先生は少し痩せていましたが、以前と変わらない優しい笑顔で迎えてくださいました。短い時間でしたが、昔話に花が咲き、先生も私も楽しい時間を過ごせました。また近いうちに見舞いに行こうと思います。
この筆者は、恩師との見舞いの時間をどのように感じていますか？
筆者は「先生も私も楽しい時間を過ごせました」と述べており、非常に楽しい時間だったことが分かります。
筆者は「先生も私も楽しい時間を過ごせました」と述べており、非常に楽しい時間だったことが分かります。
この文章から、患者を見舞うことの主な効果は何だと読み取れますか？
Read this passage:
ある研究によると、定期的に友人や家族が病気の人を見舞うことで、患者の回復が早まる傾向があるとのことです。精神的なサポートが、治療効果を高める一因となっていると考えられています。しかし、訪問する際には、患者の体調や病院の規則を考慮し、無理のない範囲で行うことが大切です。
この文章から、患者を見舞うことの主な効果は何だと読み取れますか？
「定期的に友人や家族が病気の人を見舞うことで、患者の回復が早まる傾向がある」と明確に書かれています。
「定期的に友人や家族が病気の人を見舞うことで、患者の回復が早まる傾向がある」と明確に書かれています。
筆者が「直接顔を見に行くことの重要性」を感じたのはなぜですか？
Read this passage:
遠方に住む祖母が体調を崩したため、週末に急遽実家に見舞いに行くことになった。新幹線と電車を乗り継ぎ、かなりの時間がかかったが、祖母の元気そうな顔を見ることができて安心した。普段なかなか会えない分、こうした時に直接顔を見に行くことの重要性を改めて感じた。
筆者が「直接顔を見に行くことの重要性」を感じたのはなぜですか？
「普段なかなか会えない分、こうした時に直接顔を見に行くことの重要性を改めて感じた」とあり、祖母の元気な顔を見ることができたことが理由です。
「普段なかなか会えない分、こうした時に直接顔を見に行くことの重要性を改めて感じた」とあり、祖母の元気な顔を見ることができたことが理由です。
This sentence means 'I went to the hospital to visit my friend who was ill.' The particles 'の' and 'を' connect '友人' (friend) with '病状' (illness) and '病状' with '見舞う' (visit) respectively. 'ため' indicates purpose, and 'へ' indicates direction.
This sentence means 'She visits her hospitalized grandmother every day.' '入院中' modifies '祖母' (grandmother), meaning 'grandmother who is hospitalized.' '毎日' (every day) is an adverb of frequency.
This sentence means 'I went to visit a relative who lives far away.' '遠方に住む' describes '親戚' (relative). 'もとへ' means 'to where someone is' and '見舞いに行った' means 'went for a visit (to see someone sick)'.
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Summary
見舞う is used when you visit someone who is not well.
- visit sick person
- show sympathy
- offer comfort
Basic Meaning of 見舞う
The most common use of 「見舞う」(mimau) is to visit someone who is sick or injured. Think of it as 'checking in' on their health.
見舞う with 友人 (Friend)
You can use this verb when visiting a friend who is hospitalized. For example: 友人のお見舞いに行く (Yūjin no omimai ni iku - I'm going to visit my friend in the hospital).
見舞う with 家族 (Family)
It's also appropriate for visiting sick family members. 母のお見舞いに行った (Haha no omimai ni itta - I went to visit my mother).
Not for Casual Visits
「見舞う」is specifically for visiting someone due to their illness or injury. Do not use it for a casual visit to a healthy friend's house.
Example
病気の友人を病院に見舞った。
Related Content
More family words
還暦
B160th birthday (celebration of completing a 60-year cycle).
〜くらい
B1About; approximately; to the extent that.
認め合う
B1To recognize each other's worth; to acknowledge.
知人
B1Acquaintance.
顔見知り
A2Acquaintance; someone you know by sight.
甘える
B1To be spoiled, to fawn; to behave like a pampered child.
活発な
B1Active; lively; vigorous.
思春期
B1Adolescence; the period of transition from childhood to adulthood.
養子
B1Adopted child; a child taken into one's family by legal means.
養親
B2Adoptive parent.
