甘(あま)く見(み)る

あまくみる
expression
to take lightly; to underestimate
evaluation
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(しけん)を甘(あま)く見(み)ていた。
I underestimated the exam.
自然(しぜん)の力(ちから)を甘(あま)く見(み)てはいけない。
You must not underestimate the power of nature.
相手(あいて)を甘(あま)く見(み)たばかりに、大(おお)きな失敗(しっぱい)をしてしまった。
Because I underestimated the opponent, I made a big mistake.

Usage

甘(あま)く見(み)る is an extremely common expression in everyday Japanese. It is often used in the negative imperative form 甘(あま)く見(み)るな or 甘(あま)く見(み)てはいけない to warn someone not to be complacent. The past form 甘(あま)く見(み)ていた implies regret for having been careless.

Common patterns

  • 〜を甘(あま)く見(み)る (to underestimate ~)
  • 甘(あま)く見(み)るな (don't underestimate)
  • 甘(あま)く見(み)てはいけない (you must not take lightly)

Similar words

Related Words

Synonym: 軽(かろ)んじる (formal)
Compare: 侮(あなど)る (to look down on, to scorn)
Compare: 舐(な)める (to look down on)
Compare: 高(たか)を括(くく)る (to underestimate)
Compare: 見(み)くびる (to underestimate)
general
Added 2026.3.7 22:43 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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