にして + 見(み)ればFor (A), In the case of (A), From (A)'s point of view, In the eyes of (A)

Structure

Noun + にしてみれば⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾ にしてみたら

Details

About にしてみれば

English

Japanese

にしてみれば, usually written completely in hiragana, is an expression used when the speaker is making a hypothetical statement about how something may appear from the point of view of another. It will often be translated as 'from the point of view of (A), (B)', 'in the case of (A), (B)', or simply 'for (A), (B)'. Literally, the meaning is 'assuming that I was (A) and then looking from there, (B)'.

にしてみれば will appear after nouns that represent a person, or organizations representative of people. It is a combination of the case-marking particle に, the て-form of する, and the hypothetical form of 見(み)る, 見(み)れば.

As にしてみれば will exclusively follow words that indicate a person or a group of people, the (B) part of the phrase will usually discuss how the speaker assumes that they would feel given the situation. Because of this assumption, these sentences often finish with だろう, でしょう, かもしれない, and other similar structures.

Examples

--:--

ハリーにしてみれば、優(やさ)しくしてもらうなど、初(はじ)めての経験(けいけん)だった。

For Harry, it was the first time he had ever been treated kindly.
(From the perspective of Harry)

傍(はた)から見(み)ればただの安(やす)っぽいペンダントだろうが、ラクにしてみれば貴重(きちょう)な思(おも)い出(で)の品(しな)になっている。

It might appear to be a mere cheap pendant from the side, but for Raku, it has become a precious memento.
(From the perspective of Raku)

大人(おとな)には非常(ひじょう)に簡単(かんたん)だが、小(ちい)さな子供(こども)にしてみればかなり困難(こんなん)なことかもしれない。

For an adult, it is very simple, but for a small child, it might be quite hard.
(From the perspective of a small child)

私(わたし)たちにとっては危険(きけん)すぎるようにみえる彼(かれ)の生活(せいかつ)は、彼自身(かれじしん)にしてみればごく普通(ふつう)のことなのでしょう。

His life that seems too dangerous to us, is likely quite ordinary for him.
(From his perspective)

友達(ともだち)１(いち)は失敗(しっぱい)した友達(ともだち)２(に)を励(はげ)ます、友達(ともだち)１(いち)：「たいしたことじゃありませんよ。」
友達(ともだち)２(に)：「いや、わたしにしてみたら、たいしたことなんだよ。」

Friend 1 reassuring Friend 2 who has made a mistake, Friend 1: 'Come on, it's not a big deal!'
Friend 2: 'No, this is a big deal FOR me!'
(From my perspective)

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にしてみれば – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (5 in total)

Pushindawood
@matt_in_mito Sorry about that! Your answer should have been flagged rather than marked incorrect. I have updated the answers that throw hints/warnings to include the information that @nekoyama mentioned. Thank you for your patience. Cheers!
matt_in_mito
@nekoyama @Pushindawood thanks guys that’s really helpful.
Noonche
I’m having the unclear on the difference between にしてみれば and から見ると… Can anyone explain it to me?