とみると
🃏 Flashcard
とみると
to miru to
Tap to reveal usage
as soon as one realizes ..., then ~
N1
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading
to miru to
Post ID
51400
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
as soon as one realizes ..., then ~
📖 How to use it
Expresses that as soon as the speaker perceives or realizes something, a subsequent action or situation occurs.
Attaches to
Attaches to a clause ending in the plain present (dictionary) form of a verb or adjective, or to a noun/na-adjective stem followed by だ (e.g., 学生だ, 静かだ). The form before とみると is the plain form, not the ます-stem or て-form.
This pattern is used to describe a situation where, upon observing some fact or change, someone reacts immediately or the situation unfolds in a certain way. The nuance is that the realization is the direct trigger for what follows. It often implies a somewhat objective or third-person observation, rather than a personal feeling, and can sound analytical or literary. It is not used for habitual actions or general truths; it is for specific, often sudden, observations.
彼は私の顔を見るとみると、すぐに笑い出した。
Kare wa watashi no kao o miru to miru to, sugu ni warai dashita.
As soon as he saw my face, he burst out laughing.
店の入り口に「閉店」と書いてあるとみると、がっかりした。
Mise no iriguchi ni 'heiten' to kaite aru to miru to, gakkari shita.
Seeing that the store entrance had a 'closed' sign, I was disappointed.
彼女が勉強を始めたとみると、すぐに眠くなった。
Kanojo ga benkyou o hajimeta to miru to, sugu ni nemuku natta.
As soon as she started studying, she immediately felt sleepy.
Not 〜とすぐに (〜to sugu ni)
〜とすぐに simply means 'as soon as' and is neutral, while とみると emphasizes that an observation or realization leads to the result, often with a nuance of judgment or assessment. とみると is more formal and N1-level, whereas 〜とすぐに is common in everyday speech.
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This is a formal/literary pattern, common in written narratives or analytical speech, but not typical in casual conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
とみると
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat とみると three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using とみると. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern とみると mean?
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As soon as one realizes ..., then ~
What JLPT level is とみると?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use とみると in a sentence?
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Attach とみると (to miru to) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is とみると formal or casual Japanese?
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とみると is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember とみると long-term?
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Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.