1.
to take lightly; to underestimate; to not take seriously
To fail to recognize the difficulty or seriousness of something, or to look down on someone's ability. A common idiomatic expression used as a warning or criticism.
試験を甘く見ていた。
I underestimated the exam.
自然の力を甘く見てはいけない。
You must not underestimate the power of nature.
相手を甘く見たばかりに、大きな失敗をしてしまった。
Because I underestimated the opponent, I made a big mistake.
USAGE:
甘く見る is an extremely common expression in everyday Japanese. It is often used in the negative imperative form 甘く見るな or 甘く見てはいけない to warn someone not to be complacent. The past form 甘く見ていた implies regret for having been careless.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 〜を甘く見る (to underestimate ~)
- 甘く見るな (don't underestimate)
- 甘く見てはいけない (you must not take lightly)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 侮る: to look down on, to scorn
- 軽んじる: to make light of (formal)
- なめる: to look down on (very colloquial, rough)