見合わせる

• Reading: みあわせる
• Romaji: miawaseru
• Kanji breakdown: 見 (ken/mi) — see, look; 合 (gō/awa) — match, join together
• Pronunciation: /mi.a.wa.se.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To postpone; to suspend; to refrain from proceeding. Also: to exchange glances with another person.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb with two distinct meanings. In the first sense (to postpone), it is used in official and business contexts when an action or event is suspended due to circumstances — e.g., flights being cancelled or a project being put on hold. The nuance is of actively choosing to hold off rather than simply forgetting. In the second sense (to exchange glances), it describes two people looking at each other simultaneously, often in surprise or wordless communication.

Examples

1. 悪天候のため、イベントの開催を見合わせることになった。 Due to bad weather, it was decided to postpone the event.
2. 二人は驚いた顔を見合わせ、しばらく黙ったままだった。 The two exchanged surprised glances and remained silent for a while.
3. 費用対効果が不明なため、新システムの導入を見合わせた。 Because the cost-effectiveness was unclear, the introduction of the new system was put on hold.

Usage Guide

Context: announcements, business decisions, nonverbal communication

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 見 (to see, to look) and 合わせる (to match, to put together). In the 'postpone' sense, the idea is of holding one action up against the other to check fit, then deciding to wait. In the 'exchange glances' sense, it literally means mutual looking.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: All classes