What is the difference between 「から見ると」 and 「からすると」? Understanding the viewpoint naturally

When studying Japanese, you often come across expressions that look very similar.

「私から見ると、その計画は少し危険です。」
From my point of view, that plan seems a little risky.

「私からすると、その計画は少し危険です。」
Considering it from my position, that plan seems a little risky.

Both sentences sound natural.
Both are used to mean “judging from a certain standpoint.”

So what is the difference?

Broadly speaking, 「から見ると」 focuses on how something appears from a certain point of view, while 「からすると」 focuses more on a judgment based on a position, condition, or piece of evidence.

In other words, the difference between 「見る」 and 「する」 is directly connected to the nuance of each expression.

First, What They Have in Common: “Judging from a Certain Standpoint”

Both 「から見ると」 and 「からすると」 basically mean “when thinking from a certain standpoint, viewpoint, or condition.”

For example, both of the following are possible.

Example Sentences

専門家から見ると、この方法にはまだ問題がある。
From an expert’s point of view, this method still has problems.

専門家からすると、この方法にはまだ問題がある。
Judging from an expert’s standpoint, this method still has problems.

The general meaning is similar.

Both mean that if you judge the method from the standpoint of an expert, there are still problems.

However, the feeling is slightly different.

「から見ると」 Focuses on How Something Appears from a Viewpoint

「から見ると」 means “when seen from that standpoint, how does it appear?”

It does not only mean physically seeing something with your eyes.
It can also express how something feels or appears from a psychological or social point of view.

Example Sentences

子どもから見ると、大人の世界はとても複雑に見える。
From a child’s point of view, the adult world looks very complicated.

外国人から見ると、日本の敬語はかなり難しい。
From a foreigner’s point of view, Japanese honorific language seems quite difficult.

教師から見ると、この学生はとても努力している。
From a teacher’s point of view, this student is working very hard.

In these sentences, there is a feeling of “how it appears to that person.”

So 「から見ると」 is close to observation, impression, and appearance.

「からすると」 Focuses on Judgment Based on a Position or Condition

On the other hand, 「からすると」 means “when thinking based on that position, condition, or evidence.”

Compared with 「見る」, it sounds a little more logical.
It has a stronger feeling of “judging from that” or “if we consider that condition.”

Example Sentences

現在の売上からすると、来月の目標達成は難しいだろう。
Judging from the current sales, it will probably be difficult to reach next month’s target.

彼の表情からすると、あまり納得していないようだ。
Judging from his expression, he does not seem very convinced.

この成績からすると、合格の可能性は高い。
Judging from these results, the possibility of passing is high.

Here, 「売上」, 「表情」, and 「成績」 are used as the basis for judgment.

So 「からすると」 is close to evidence, condition, and judgment.

The Difference in One Sentence

「から見ると」 expresses an impression from a certain viewpoint.

「からすると」 expresses a judgment based on a certain reason, condition, or standpoint.

Thinking in this way makes the difference much easier to understand.

Let’s Compare Them

外国人から見ると、日本語の助詞は難しい。
From a foreigner’s point of view, Japanese particles seem difficult.

This sentence means that from the viewpoint of foreigners, Japanese particles appear difficult.
It is close to the feeling or impression of people who actually study Japanese.

外国人からすると、日本語の助詞は難しい。
Considering it from the standpoint of foreigners, Japanese particles are difficult.

This sentence also makes sense, but it sounds a little more like a judgment based on the position of being a foreigner.

In daily use, there are many cases where both expressions can be used.
However, when you want to express viewpoint or impression, 「から見ると」 often sounds softer and more natural.

When There Is Data, a Situation, or Evidence, 「からすると」 Sounds Natural

In the following sentences, 「からすると」 is very natural.

このデータからすると、若者の利用者が増えているようだ。
Judging from this data, it seems that the number of young users is increasing.

この結果からすると、方法を変えたほうがよさそうだ。
Judging from this result, it seems better to change the method.

彼の話し方からすると、何か隠しているのかもしれない。
Judging from the way he speaks, he may be hiding something.

Here, 「データ」, 「結果」, and 「話し方」 are the basis for judgment.

「から見ると」 is not impossible in all such cases, but when you want to express “judging from evidence,” 「からすると」 is usually more natural.

When You Want to Express a Person’s Viewpoint Softly, 「から見ると」 Is Natural

In the following sentences, 「から見ると」 is natural.

学生から見ると、この説明は少し難しい。
From a student’s point of view, this explanation is a little difficult.

親から見ると、子どもの成長はとても早く感じられる。
From a parent’s point of view, a child’s growth feels very fast.

日本語教師から見ると、この間違いはよくあるものだ。
From a Japanese teacher’s point of view, this mistake is common.

Here, the sentences express how something appears from the standpoint of 「学生」, 「親」, or 「日本語教師」.

If you use 「からすると」, the judgment may sound a little stronger, and depending on the sentence, slightly formal or stiff.

Related Expressions: 「から言うと」 and 「から考えると」

There are also similar expressions such as 「から言うと」 and 「から考えると」.

「から言うと」 means “speaking from that point of view.”

文法的に言うと、この文は少し不自然です。
Grammatically speaking, this sentence is a little unnatural.

費用の面から言うと、この案が一番よいでしょう。
In terms of cost, this plan is probably the best.

「から考えると」 means “when thinking based on that information.”

今の状況から考えると、延期したほうが安全です。
Considering the current situation, it would be safer to postpone it.

These expressions are similar, but the central feeling is slightly different.

「見る」 is viewpoint.
「する」 is judgment.
「言う」 is standpoint or aspect.
「考える」 is thinking.

If you keep the image of the verb in mind, it becomes easier to use these expressions naturally.

Points to Watch for JLPT N2

In JLPT N2, it is not enough to simply memorize the meaning of these expressions.

You need to look at points such as:

Which word comes before the expression?

Is the whole sentence expressing an impression?

Is it making a judgment based on evidence?

Is it showing the speaker’s standpoint?

For example, look at this sentence.

この結果からすると、もう一度調査する必要がある。
Judging from this result, it is necessary to investigate again.

Here, 「結果」 is the evidence.
The sentence makes a judgment based on that result, so 「からすると」 is natural.

Now look at the next sentence.

初心者から見ると、この説明は少し専門的すぎる。
From a beginner’s point of view, this explanation is a little too technical.

Here, the sentence expresses how it appears from the viewpoint of a beginner.
That is why 「から見ると」 is very natural.

Common Mistakes

If you memorize both 「から見ると」 and 「からすると」 only as “judging from a standpoint,” the difference becomes unclear.

Of course, there are cases where their meanings overlap.
However, if you think they are always the same, your sentence may sound a little too stiff or unnatural.

For example:

子どもからすると、この絵本は楽しい。
Considering it from a child’s standpoint, this picture book is fun.

This is not wrong, but in everyday Japanese, the following sounds softer and more natural.

子どもから見ると、この絵本は楽しい。
From a child’s point of view, this picture book is fun.

On the other hand:

この数字から見ると、売上は回復しているようだ。
From these numbers, it seems that sales are recovering.

The meaning is understandable, but since 「数字」 is evidence for judgment, the following is more natural.

この数字からすると、売上は回復しているようだ。
Judging from these numbers, it seems that sales are recovering.

Summary

「から見ると」 expresses an impression or appearance from a certain standpoint.

「からすると」 expresses a judgment based on a certain reason, condition, or standpoint.

When you want to softly express a person’s viewpoint or feeling, use 「から見ると」.

When you want to judge based on data, results, or a situation, use 「からすると」.

Being aware of this difference will make your Japanese sound much more natural.

Japanese grammar can feel difficult when expressions look similar.
However, if you keep the image of the original verb in mind, it becomes easier to remember.

「見る」 is viewpoint.
「する」 is judgment.

Try to notice this difference again and again through example sentences.

If you want to practice subtle Japanese grammar points through real questions, you can study JLPT grammar step by step with RJT.

Practice Japanese grammar with RJT