見据える

• Reading: みすえる
• Romaji: misueru
• Kanji breakdown: 見 (mi/ken) — to look, see; 据 (su/kyo) — to set, fix, install
• Pronunciation: /mi.sɯ.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To stare fixedly at; to fix one's gaze on; to look squarely at. Also used figuratively for confronting reality or looking ahead to the future.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb. Has both a physical meaning (staring intently) and a widely used figurative meaning (facing facts or looking toward the future with determination). The pattern 将来を見据えて (looking ahead to the future) is extremely common in business and political speech.

Examples

1. 将来を見据えた投資を始めるべきだ。 You should start investing with an eye toward the future.
2. 彼は相手の目を見据えて話した。 He looked the other person squarely in the eye as he spoke.
3. 現実を見据えて計画を立て直す必要がある。 We need to face reality and rethink our plans.

Usage Guide

Context: business, planning, confrontation

Tone: resolute

Origin & History

Compound of 見 (to look) and 据える (to set/fix in place). Together they convey the image of fixing one's gaze firmly on a target — not looking away from what must be faced.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional