N1 Time, Timing, and Transition

~と見みるや: meaning, usage and examples

~と見みるや means: the moment one judged that... / on seeing that... (and acting at once).

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 雲行くもゆきが怪あやしいと見みるや、漁師りょうしたちは港みなとへ引ひき返かえした。

   The moment they saw the sky turning threatening, the fishermen headed back to port.

2. チャンスと見みるや、すかさず攻撃こうげきを仕掛しかけた。

   The moment he saw a chance, he immediately launched an attack.

3. 形勢けいせい不利ふりと見みるや、彼かれはすぐに話題わだいを変かえた。

   The moment he saw things going against him, he quickly changed the subject.

4. 売うれ行ゆきがよいと見みるや、会社かいしゃはすぐに増産ぞうさんを決きめた。

   As soon as the company saw that sales were strong, it decided to increase production.

When to use it

Means "the moment someone judged that A was the case, they acted." The と marks a quick assessment of a situation, followed at once by a reaction. Example: チャンスと見みるや、すぐに攻せめた (the moment he saw his chance, he attacked). Used in sports, business and news writing.

Nuance

Written and narrative. The main clause is a quick, often bold action already taken, by a third person or an organization. It is not for requests, plans or the speaker's feelings. Sounds sharp and decisive.

Compare

見みるや (without と) is や否いなや attached to 見みる and means simply seeing something: 母ははの姿すがたを見みるや走はしり寄よった. と見みるや means quickly judging a situation and then acting on that judgment: 不利ふりと見みるや撤退てったいした. Everyday versions: と分わかるとすぐ, と判断はんだんするとすぐ: 不利ふりだと分わかるとすぐ帰かえった.

Tip: If there is a judgment (チャンスだ, 不利ふりだ, 売うれる) before と, it is と見みるや. Seeing an object directly is just 見みるや.