省みる

• Reading: かえりみる
• Romaji: kaerimiru
• Kanji breakdown: 省 (sei/kaeri) — reflect, examine, ministry
• Pronunciation: /ka.e.ɾi.mi.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To reflect on; to look back on; to examine oneself. To contemplate one's own past actions or conduct.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb used for introspective self-examination. Unlike 振り返る (which can simply mean looking back in time), 省みる implies critical self-reflection with the aim of recognising faults or learning lessons. The kanji 省 is the same as in 反省 (self-reflection). Often used in formal or literary contexts.

Examples

1. 自分の行動を省みて反省すべきだ。 You should reflect on your own actions and examine yourself.
2. 忙しすぎて家族を省みる余裕がなかった。 I was too busy to spare any thought for my family.
3. 過去を省みると多くの失敗から学んだことがわかる。 Reflecting on the past, I can see how much I have learned from my many failures.

Usage Guide

Context: self-improvement, literature, speeches

Tone: introspective

Origin & History

The kanji 省 combines 少 (few, reduce) and 目 (eye), suggesting looking with a narrowed, critical eye — examining carefully. Used in both 省みる (self-reflection) and 省く (to omit, reduce).

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal